As the deadline to report for their new roles in New Delhi draws near, three senior IAS officers from Rajasthan — Ashutosh A.T. Pednekar, Bhanu Prakash Yeturu, and Bhagwati Prasad Kalal — remain stuck in administrative limbo, awaiting formal relieving orders from the state government. Their deputation to central postings now hangs in the balance.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, had issued deputation orders on May 28, 2025, giving the officers 21 days to assume their new assignments. With the deadline set for June 17, and June 14–15 being a weekend, only two working days — June 12 and 13 — remain for the Rajasthan Department of Personnel (DoP) to complete the required formalities.
15 Days On, Files Still Await Clearance
Despite the urgency, the DoP has yet to process their relieving orders. The delay has raised eyebrows both in bureaucratic circles and at the Centre, particularly because similar last-minute issues have cropped up before. Such delays often lead to emergency measures, including operating offices on holidays to expedite formalities.
A recent instance in April 2025 saw IAS officers Prakash Rajpurohit and Ashish Gupta facing similar last-minute obstacles. In Gupta’s case, his relieving was processed only after media attention prompted the state to open his office on a holiday.
Ignored Requests: DoPT’s Letter Goes Unanswered
The delay in Kalal’s case is particularly puzzling. The DoPT had issued a special letter to the Rajasthan Chief Secretary on May 28, requesting Kalal’s immediate release. Yet, over two weeks later, no action has been taken.
The current bottleneck seems linked to the state’s ongoing challenges in managing additional charges. With three IAS officers having retired on May 31, the Rajasthan government is still dealing with the after-effects, complicating the handling of new deputations.
Key Vacancies Add to the Gridlock
Ashutosh Pednekar and Bhanu Prakash Yeturu currently hold critical roles in the state secretariat. Their departure would require reshuffling within the secretariat.
Bhagwati Prasad Kalal is posted in Udaipur, and his exit will necessitate field-level replacement coordination.
One particularly thorny issue involves the top position at Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Ltd (RSMM). The role, previously held by an IAS officer, is temporarily being managed by the Director of Mines. However, due to service rules, this officer cannot be given full charge. Possible replacements include the Divisional Commissioner, TAD Commissioner, or Excise Commissioner, but a final decision is still pending.
Adding to the concern is the fact that RSMM has seen ten Managing Directors in the past five years, highlighting the post’s persistent instability.
Systemic Issues Behind Persistent Delays
Experts believe these recurring delays in relieving IAS officers for central deputation are symptomatic of deeper administrative inefficiencies in Rajasthan’s personnel management. Although temporary fixes are often found, the absence of a robust succession and charge-transition strategy continues to pose both functional and reputational risks.
Now, with just two working days remaining and pressure mounting from both the officers and the Centre, all eyes are on the Rajasthan government. Will it act in time, or will last-minute interventions once again become the only way forward?
