In a strange decision, IAS officer Archana Singh, who is serving as secretary information technology and communication has been put on awaiting posting order (APO) citing administrative reasons on the day of PM Narendra Modi's visit to Rajasthan. She had been empanelled to hold joint secretary or equivalent post at centre in February this year.
The decision has raised curiosity among bureaucrats as to why an efficient and upright officer like Archana Singh has been sent on APO. Singh was also handling additional charge of commissioner information technology and communication. Her husband Rajan Vishal is currently serving as secretary agriculture and horticulture and panchayatiraj (agriculture).
What could be the probable reason?
Though there is no official version on her being sent on APO. The decision is probably linked to PM's visit. Officials say that the technical glitch during the PM's visit cost her the post. There was technical problem twice. On one occasion the video streaming stopped and only sound was audible and the similar technical problem surfaced when PM was speaking with farmers.
”The action looks harsh. On such goof ups generally IAS officers are not penalised. Other senior technical officers pay for the glitch. But here the state government's decision is little harsh on her,” said a senior IAS officer.
Archana Singh, a 2008 batch officer, was appointed secretary IT and Communication in September 2024. She had held key posts like registrar cooperative, managing director RIICO, commissioner industries, commissioner BIP and secretary JDA among others.
Archana Singh had also served as collector Rajsamand and Churu in her initial days.
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