The central government has approved two notable officer movements—an early repatriation of a senior Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officer and a fresh deputation of an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer to the GST Council Secretariat.
Khwairakpa Pratap Singh Returns to Parent Cadre
Khwairakpa Pratap Singh, a 2000-batch IRPS officer who has been serving as the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) in Shillong, has been relieved from his assignment and sent back to his cadre before the scheduled completion of his tenure. The order cites personal reasons for his return.
During his stint at NEEPCO, Singh played a critical role in monitoring compliance and ensuring fairness in the utility’s procurement and operational processes. His leadership contributed to strengthening accountability within the organization, which is pivotal for power generation and infrastructure projects across the North-East.
Saurabh Kumar Appointed to GST Council Secretariat
Meanwhile, the government has placed Saurabh Kumar, a 2005-batch IRS (Customs & Indirect Taxes) officer, on deputation as Director in the GST Council Secretariat. His tenure will run for five years.
With wide-ranging experience in taxation and regulatory matters, Kumar is expected to enhance the functioning of the Secretariat, which acts as the primary forum for Centre-state collaboration on GST-related issues. His expertise is anticipated to strengthen coordination in policy formulation and its smooth implementation.
Broader Governance Context
These decisions highlight the government’s strategy of deploying seasoned officers in roles that demand both administrative integrity and technical competence. While Singh’s repatriation reflects personal choice, Kumar’s new assignment underscores the importance of reinforcing institutional capacity in India’s indirect tax framework.
