Advantage batch-77 for ACS trophy

IAS officers of 1977 batch have reasons to cheer. There are two positions of additional chief secretary (ACS) level lying vacant after K George Joseph of 1972 batch and VK Babbar of 1975 batch from Gujarat cadre opted for voluntary retirement. And with no one from 1976 batch, those from 1977 are next in line for posts of ACS.

Significantly, additional chief secretary Sudha Anchalia, currently working as CMD, GNFC, is retiring in June, vacating another position. In addition, after superannuation of chief secretary D Rajagopalan in July, one of the two ACSs, AK Joti and Balwant Singh, is expected to be elevated to the position of CS.

Therefore, in all four out of six posts of ACS will become vacant in next couple of months.

One of the officials pointed out that Jasvinder Singh Rana had resigned from IAS after not being promoted to ACS level. Even Varun Nath Maira, principal secretary in general administration department’s planning division, was not promoted to ACS level, though his junior Balwant Singh was.   

A look at seniority list shows that while two eligible officers for ACS post from 1975 batch, along with Vilasini Ramchandran from 1977 batch, are on central deputation and not likely to return, last one from 1975 batch, Ramdhanlal Meena, is to retire in June this year.

In the absence of 1976 batch, Radhakanta Tripathy, PN Roy Chowdhury and Varesh Sinha have become the possible contenders for the vacant positions. However, government sources are not sure if Chowdhury would become an ACS.

As per rules for decision on promotion to ACS level, apart from CS and one ACS official, another official from Delhi of the same cadre will have to attend the DPC meeting. Last year too, Ashok Chawla, finance secretary to govt of India, and 1973 batch Gujarat cadre official, specially came down to Gandhinagar to attend the meeting.