Rajasthan 'royals' rule Gujarat babudom

GANDHINAGAR: In Gujarat's babudom, Rajasthan's 'royals' are the reigning champions. At least half a dozen top bureaucratic positions are controlled by officers from the neighbouring desert state. Besides chief secretary Gangaram Aloria, five top posts including home, general administration and even the chief minister's office are helmed by Rajasthani officers ­ a scenario Gujarat has seldom witnessed.
“At different points in time, officers from different states have dominated Gujarat's bureaucracy . This is perhaps the first time so many officers from the same state are posted on most powerful posts,“ said a senior bureaucrat.
The powerful group has come to be known as 'Rajasthan Royals' in babudom ­ a parallel to Chennai Super Kings, a moniker for a group of bureaucrats from south India. Many of them worked closely with former additional chief secretary , K Kailashnathan, considered the most powerful babu when Narendra Modi helmed the state.
The fact that chief secretary , additional chief secretary (home), general administration department secretary and collector of biggest district come from the same state has helped in better co-ordination within government departments.
While officers like M S Dagur and Ramesh Meena, ACS, social justice & empowerment and secretary , tribal development, respectively , are getting prominence, another fellow Rajasthani retired IAS C L Meena is believed to be a favourite for the important post of GPCB chairman, which falls vacant this month after the term of incumbent KU Mistry ends. Meena's chances are brighter as compared to another contender Sanjeev Tyagi, an Indian Forest Service officer, who is believed to be lobbying for the post.