Narendra Modi reshuffles Gujarat administration

Gandhinagar, Nov 8 : Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi reshuffled the top brass of the state administration, transferring 80 bureaucrats and 19 police officers in one sweep late Saturday.

The transfers came within a day of chief minister resuming office Friday.

Among those transferred were 36 officers of the rank of secretary and principal secretary and 44 district level officers and 19 police officers.

The highlight of the transfers was the shifting of D.J. Pandian, managing director of the state public sector Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC). He has been replaced by Tapan Ray, hitherto secretary finance.

Pandian who set a record by being in the same post for over seven years has been elevated to principal secretary, energy and petrochemicals.

B.K. Sinha who returns from central deputation is the new principal secretary of ports and transport. He replaces H.K. Dash who moves on as principal secretary Narmada Water Resources, Water Supply and Kalpasar department(Water Supply).

Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd Managing Director R.K. Tripathi moves on as principal secretary of Agriculture and Cooperation.

Among the police officers, Kuldeep Sharma of the 1975 batch - additional director general of police level officer - who was awaiting posting after returning from a foreign assignment has been made managing director of the Gujarat State Sheep and Wool Development Corporation.

--IANS