40 IAS officers shifted by Ashok Gehlot in a major shakeup in Rajasthan

Kuldeep Ranka, a 94-batch IAS officer, who is fastidious about keeping a low profile has been appointed the principal secretary to chief minister Ashok Gehlot. He replaces Tanmay Kumar who served on the powerful position throughout the tenure of Vasundhara Raje. Kumar as now been shunted out of the chief minister’s office (CMO) and posted as commisioner, command area development (CAD) in Bikaner.

Ranka has helmed the Jaipur development authority (JDA) in Gehlot’s second tenure and oversaw his pet project, the Jaipur Metro. He also served as Jaipur collector in previous Gehlot government. When the government changed in 2013 and the BJP returned to power, Ranka was sent packing to departments like Revenue Board, Agriculture and Woman and Child development. He was later dispatched to handle the Rajasthan Roadways which is bleeding money and is perennially plagued by budget shortfalls, mounting losses and striking staff. He is currently serving as principal secretary to tourism department

Ranka hails from Jodhpur, Gehlot’s home town. Even before the transfer list was out, he was seen attending the meetings with the chief minister at his current residence. He was a part of the crucial meeting on farm loan waiver promised by the Congress party in its election manifesto. The meeting was called by Gehlot and had other officials from different departments.

Ranka’s latest posting elevates him to the stature of former bureaucrats like CK Mathew and Shrimat Pandey who had on year preceding his served on the same post on two occasions when Ashok Gehlot was the chief minister. Mathew was also the finance secretary in Gehlot’s first stint as the CM.

All The CM’s Men

Four IAS have been made secretaries in the CMO to assist Gehlot. Kuldeep Ranka has been appointed principal secretary to the CM according to the order issued on Tuesday night. He would be assisted by secretary Ajitabh Sharma and two joint secretaries—Arti Dogra and Rajan Vishal—in the top office. Eight RAS officers were appointed as joint secretaries and OSD in the CMO as well.