Jaipur: As the deadline for reporting to their new assignments in New Delhi fast approaches, three senior IAS officers from Rajasthan – Ashutosh A.T. Pednekar, Bhanu Prakash Yeturu, and Bhagwati Prasad Kalal – are still waiting for their relieving orders from the state government, leaving their central deputation plans in limbo.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, had issued deputation orders for the three officers on May 28, 2025, giving them 21 days to report to their new roles. That deadline expires on June 17, but with June 14 and 15 falling on a weekend, only two working days – June 12 and 13 – remain for the Rajasthan Department of Personnel (DoP) to complete necessary formalities.
Files Still Pending Despite 15 Days Passing
Despite the clear urgency, the state DoP has not yet processed or cleared their relieving orders, prompting concern both within bureaucratic circles and at the Centre. Observers are puzzled by the inaction, especially given that similar delays have occurred in the past, often resulting in last-minute administrative rushes or exceptions, including opening offices on holidays.
A similar situation had occurred in April 2025, when IAS officers Prakash Rajpurohit and Ashish Gupta faced last-minute delays. In Gupta’s case, his office was specially opened on a holiday after a media report highlighted the problem.
DoPT’s Special Request Ignored So Far
In Kalal’s case, the delay is even more confounding as the DoPT had issued a special letter to the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan on May 28, explicitly requesting his immediate relieving. Yet, there has been no action for over two weeks.
The delays appear to stem from the state’s ongoing struggle to manage additional charges. The DoP had only recently managed the fallout from three IAS officer retirements on May 31, and the pending deputations are now resurfacing the same crisis in staffing and administrative transitions.
Key Vacancies Add to the Dilemma
- Ashutosh Pednekar and Bhanu Prakash Yeturu currently hold positions within the state secretariat, and their departure will require intra-secretariat reshuffling.
- Bhagwati Prasad Kalal, who is posted in Udaipur, will need a replacement appointment, likely requiring coordination with field postings.
A particularly problematic vacancy is at the Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Ltd (RSMM). The Managing Director’s post, once held by an IAS officer, was temporarily assigned to the Director of Mines – departmental officer who, due to service norms, cannot be given full charge. Potential alternatives include the Divisional Commissioner, TAD Commissioner, or Excise Commissioner, but the final call from the DoP is awaited.
Compounding the issue is the fact that RSMM’s top post has seen ten different MDs in the last five years, a sign of how frequently the role has been deprioritized in DoP considerations.
Bureaucratic Bottlenecks Persist
Experts believe that the routine nature of delays in relieving IAS officers for central deputation reflects larger systemic issues in Rajasthan’s personnel management. While temporary workarounds are often found, the lack of long-term planning around succession and charge distribution continues to pose operational and reputational risks.
With just two working days left and mounting pressure from both the officers and the Centre, it remains to be seen whether the Rajasthan government will act in time – or if, once again, emergency measures and last-minute paperwork will be the only way out.
