Clerical mix-up: Karnataka govt promotes rtd official-turned-pontiff

Mandya: Even after he took sanyasa, the files followed him — a promotion order tagged the retired official-turned-pontiff as "awaiting posting."In an apparent administrative lapse, the state govt issued a promotion order for 20 officers and mistakenly included the name of HL Nagaraj, now known as Nischalanandanatha Swamiji, the pontiff of Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamsthana.
Nagaraj had resigned from govt service a year ago after opting for voluntary retirement in Dec 2024 to embrace monastic life. Before taking sanyasa, he served as a 2005-batch KAS officer and held the post of additional deputy commissioner in Mandya. Despite his exit from service, his name appeared in the latest promotion list, reportedly without verification of his service status. Sources said officials may have failed to update his records before finalising the order.Meanwhile, the office of the CM has clarified that HL Nagaraj, KAS (senior grade) officer, has applied for voluntary retirement, and his application is currently under review. "As his request for retirement has not yet been approved, he has not been released from govt service. So, according to the prevailing rules, HL Nagaraj has been considered for promotion to KAS (selection grade). However, he will only receive the promotion once he assumes the responsibilities of the position," it said.Faulty record-keeping: Ashoka Leader of opposition R Ashoka Saturday said HL Nagaraj, now Sri Nischalanandanatha Swamiji, who took voluntary retirement and became the ‘peetadhipathi' (head) of the Vishwa Vokkaliga Mahasamsthana Mutt, was listed among 20 officers promoted by the Congress govt. Ashoka accused the govt of faulty record-keeping and shared the order on X, alleging the retired officer was still shown as in service.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and quotes !