Babus Over Netas: Story of 4 former bureaucrats getting berths in Modi’s ministry

IAS-turned-politician KJ Alphons while taking oath

ON SUNDAY, four former bureaucrats — two IAS, one IFS and one IPS — were made ministers at the Centre giving a clear signal that Prime Minister Narendra Modi banks more on former bureaucrats than typical Netas when it comes to performances. Whereas former Kerala cadre IAS KJ Alphons was given independent charge of the ministry of tourism, former IFS Hardeep Singh Puri will now handle urban affairs, independently. Also, former home secretary Raj Kumar Singh will handle two ministries -- power and the ministry of new and renewable energy; and ex-Mumbai police commissioner Satyapal Singh has been made the MoS in two ministries -- HRD and water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation. Here are more about these four babu-turned Netas:

Over 30 NDA MPs move privilege notice in Lok Sabha against Bihar IAS Sudhir Kumar; 10 Things to Know

Kumar (2nd from right), Lalu Prasad (left) among others (File Photo)

IN A rare instance, over 30 MPs of the BJP and its allies from Bihar moved a privilege notice in Lok Sabha against 1982 batch IAS officer Sudhir Kumar, now member of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), alleging that the senior bureaucrat “insulted” the law makers over a discussion on the condition of Bihar’s road projects. Kumar, 59, in his capacity as officer on special duty (OSD) to the then railways minister Lalu Yadav during the UPA-I, played a key role in the Indian Railways’ “turnaround” saga. Here are 10 things about this new Neta-Babu row:

EX-IAS RK Singh and RS Pandey may fight Lok Sabha poll; will former diplomat Jaimini Bhagwati join the Congress?

Diplomat Jaimini Bhagwati with wife Rita

TWO prominent former IAS-turned BJP members, ex-home secretary RK Singh and ex-petroleum secretary RS Pandey, may contest Lok Sabha polls from Bihar. A few more bureaucrats including former IFS and ex-Indian envoy to UK Jaimini Bhagwati may plunge into active politics as the poll fever has gripped the nation. It is learned that diplomat Bhagwati, who is the son of Bijoy Chandra Bhagwati, a former Parliamentarian from Assam and minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s government, may join the Congress and fight...

Can govt prevent crimes like Delhi rape; FAQs on sexual harassment in offices

THE recent horrific gang rape in Delhi is a reflection of how women are being treated in our families and in society, say experts. Home secretary RK Singh’s spirited press conference on Friday is a welcome step, but can government alone bring a solution to this deep-rooted menace? The reality is, the cases of sexual harassment within government offices are often spotted, complained and investigated. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers on sexual harassment of women in government offices:

Home ministry tightens norms on bureaucrats’ foreign junkets

IN CONTINUATION with its earlier order of restraining Indian bureaucrats hobnobbing with foreign embassies, the ministry of home affairs has further tightened the norms of foreign junkets for civil servants. The new MHA guidelines, which have initially been circulated among Delhi and Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil/Police Services (DANICS and DANIPS), want bureaucrats to submit in writing whether they would attend any…

Home secretary RK Singh fumes; warns officers not to hobnob with embassies

Is Home Secretary RK Singh Angry?

UNION home secretary RK Singh has asked secretaries of various departments to restrain bureaucrats from hobnobbing with foreign embassies in India. The fear? A few bureaucrats were already “cultivated” by foreign service nationals or embassy officers.

Singh’s letter as quoted by a report in Hindustan Times said that those officials would be dealt with. But who are those officials?