Major Karnataka Police Reshuffle: Suman Pannekar Takes Charge as Ballari SP; P.S. Harsh Named IGP Ballari Zone in Fresh Transfer Drive
The Karnataka government has carried out a significant round of administrative reshuffling, transferring five senior IAS and IPS officers in a move aimed at strengthening policing standards and improving governance across crucial departments. The latest transfers mark another phase in the state’s post-New Year bureaucratic reorganisation drive, following the earlier mass transfer of 48 IPS officers.
Suman Pannekar Appointed as Ballari Superintendent of Police
In a key policing appointment, senior IPS officer Suman Pannekar has been named the new Superintendent of Police of Ballari district. She was previously serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Bengaluru Intelligence Division.
She takes over from Pawan Nijjoor, who was placed under suspension after being linked to an alleged misconduct incident that occurred on December 31. With this appointment, Pannekar assumes charge of overall law enforcement, crime prevention, and public order management in one of Karnataka’s strategically important districts.
P.S. Harsh Takes Over as IGP, Ballari Zone
As part of the same reshuffle, 2004-batch IPS officer P.S. Harsh has been appointed Inspector General of Police, Ballari Zone. He replaces Vartika Katiyar, who has been reassigned as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Civil Rights Enforcement Directorate.
The Ballari Zone oversees policing in multiple sensitive districts, making Harsh’s appointment a crucial step in reinforcing zonal-level supervision and crime monitoring.
Two Senior IAS Officers Also Reassigned
Alongside the police reshuffle, the government has also transferred two senior IAS officers to strengthen administrative leadership in vital departments:
Salma K. Fahim, who was awaiting a new posting, has been appointed Secretary, Labour Department. She has additionally been entrusted with the charge of Secretary, Scheduled Caste Development Department.
Kanagavalli M., earlier serving as Secretary of the Senior Tribal Welfare Department, has now been posted as Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies Department. She will also function as Managing Director of the State Medical Equipment Supply Corporation.
Focus on Governance and Law Enforcement Reinforcement
Officials indicated that the reshuffle is intended to reinforce law enforcement capabilities, improve departmental coordination, and enhance service delivery in critical governance sectors. The deployment of experienced officers to Ballari — both at district and zonal levels — underlines the government’s intent to maintain tighter administrative and policing oversight in the region.
This reshuffle follows the earlier New Year administrative changes involving 48 IPS officers, suggesting a continuing effort by the Karnataka government to realign leadership across departments for greater efficiency, accountability, and public safety.
