Banswara/Jaipur: A significant administrative reshuffle has followed a technical glitch during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent event in Banswara, Rajasthan, resulting in the removal of 2008 batch senior IAS officer Archana Singh from her post as Secretary, Information Technology & Communication (IT&C) Department.
What Went Wrong at the PM’s Event?
During the Prime Minister’s public meeting, a technical malfunction occurred, leaving video screens blank for nearly ten minutes as he addressed the gathering. While the audio system remained operational, the screen blackout disrupted the visual relay of the speech to attendees and also reportedly hampered a planned interaction with farmers.
The incident was widely noticed and deemed a serious lapse, especially considering the high-profile nature of the event and its national visibility.
Immediate Fallout: Archana Singh Reassigned
Although the Department of Personnel (DoP) cited “administrative reasons” for her removal, sources within the state government confirmed that the decision was directly linked to the event disruption, for which the IT&C department was primarily responsible.
As per official orders, Archana Singh has now been placed in Awaiting Posting Orders (APO) status, effectively removing her from current active responsibilities.
Her Background
IAS Singh is a senior IAS officer known for her past administrative roles in Rajasthan. Until now, she headed the IT&C Department, which oversees digital infrastructure, technology implementation, and public service IT delivery across the state.
Ms Singh holds B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Allahabad University. Fluent in English and Hindi, she is a committed civil servant currently awaiting posting and is well-prepared to contribute effectively to public administration and welfare.
Rajasthan Government Responds
The Rajasthan government has not issued a detailed explanation but has indicated that such disruptions during national-level events will not be taken lightly. No announcement has been made yet regarding her replacement or a departmental review into the incident.
Key Takeaways
- The glitch occurred during PM Modi’s Banswara rally on a high-visibility platform.
- Video feeds cut out for approximately 10 minutes, while audio continued.
- The issue disrupted a planned interaction with farmers.
- Archana Singh, Secretary of IT&C, was reassigned immediately afterward.
The official reason is cited as “administrative grounds.”
