As soon as the term of former IAS Madhukar Gupta comes to an end, Rajasthan government immediately appointed Former IAS Rajeshwar Singh as the commissioner of the state election commission. The urgency of appointing state election commissioner indicates how much serious is state government towards organising local bodies and panchayatiraj polls.
Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde issued order in this regard. Now the biggest challenge for Rajeshwar Singh will be to hold elections for urban bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions.
The state government is vying to conduct elections of urban bodies and panchaytitaj in one go. While the former state election commissioner Madhukar Gupta had expressed inability to organise the elections sunder one state one election citing lack of resources, the state government will expect from Singh to plan elections as per the one state one election scheme.
Rajeshwar Singh, who retired in July last year, will continue to serve on this position till July 11, 2029 as the term of state election commissioner is either 5 years or 65 years whichever is earlier. Singh retired from the post of chairman revenue board.
Who is Rajeshwar Singh?
A 1989 batch IAS officer, Rajeshwar Singh is an alumnus of prestigious Allahabad University, Singh carries well the culture of that university and has a great taste of literature. Singh writes poetries and stories, which reflect the ‘soft' side of his personality. But when it comes to decision making and action as administrator, his sternness eclipses the poet Singh.
Rajeshwar Singh has a special talent of assessing astrological movement of planets/stars and political moves at the same time. No wonder he has interest in political science, public administration, history and literature.
“Singh maintains a great balance between work and literature. I have never seen him getting carried away. He is a very good administrator and a thoughtful poet,” said a senior IAS officer who has worked with him.
During 35 years of his service, Singh has held various portfolios including collector Jaipur and Jalore, principal secretary tourism, MSME, transport and rural development. His last tenure of almost three years as chairman revenue board has also been quite remarkable.
Vivek Shukla is a management graduate who has worked in corporate worked for 20 years and is now pursuing his passion — news.
