In a rare and high-impact development within Chhattisgarh’s administrative framework, the Chhattisgarh High Court has issued bailable warrants of Rs. 5,000 each against senior IAS officers Mr. Manoj Kumar Pingua and Ms. Kiran Kaushal Kaur in a pending contempt case. Both officials have been directed to personally appear before the court on Monday. Notably, this is not the first time Mr. Pingua has received contempt notices in relation to the matter.
Case Origin: Contract Employees Demand Long-Pending Regularization
The contempt case stems from petitions filed by contract-based medical teachers — including professors, assistant professors, and demonstrators — who have been serving for nearly 15 years. They argued that despite possessing qualifications and performing duties equivalent to their regular counterparts, the state government overlooked their long-standing plea for regularization.
A Division Bench of the High Court ruled in favor of the petitioners and ordered the government to regularize their services. The State and concerned colleges challenged the judgment before the Supreme Court, but the apex court upheld the High Court’s decision, directing compliance within three months. Despite repeated reminders, the government failed to act, triggering the contempt petition filed in December 2024. After reviewing the non-compliance, the High Court issued bailable warrants against the two IAS officers.
Who Is IAS Manoj Kumar Pingua?
Mr. Manoj Kumar Pingua, a 1994 batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, is among the state’s most senior administrators. Born on August 21, 1969, he holds a B.Sc in Botany, an M.Sc in Anthropology, and an Executive Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University — an academic combination that shapes his multidimensional governance style.
His administrative journey includes serving as District Collector of Janjgir-Champa, Dhamtari, and Surguja, later becoming Divisional Commissioner of Bastar. He has worked in major state departments such as Tribal Development and General Administration and has served with distinction at the Centre in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
Currently, Mr. Pingua is the Additional Chief Secretary in the Home, Jail, Health, and Family Welfare departments. He is also the state nodal officer for preparations for the 2027 caste census, a role that carries high administrative sensitivity. His earlier work as Principal Secretary (Commerce & Industries) helped strengthen Chhattisgarh’s industrial ecosystem and improve ease-of-doing-business reforms.
Who Is IAS Kiran Kaushal Kaur?
Ms. Kiran Kaushal, a 2009 batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, was born on September 3, 1980, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree. She entered the IAS in 2009 and quickly established herself as a strong administrative leader.
She served as Collector of Mungeli, where her tenure stood out for women-led governance. She later became CEO of the Naya Raipur Development Authority and was appointed IG, Registration & Stamps, demonstrating her administrative versatility across urban development, cooperative marketing, and consumer protection.
As Collector of Korba during the peak of COVID-19, Ms. Kaushal earned widespread appreciation for effectively managing the district when it emerged as a hotspot. Her initiatives in public health, sanitation, and women’s welfare have been praised across the state. As the first woman IAS officer from native Chhattisgarh, she has become a symbol of empowerment and has been honored with awards such as the Nari Ratna Award.
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