When the work of ambitious project of HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL) commenced in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 16, 2018, Aparna Arora, a 1993 batch IAS officer was serving as Principal Secretary Petroleum in Rajasthan government.
Now after more than 8 years when the refinery is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the same Aparna Arora is serving as Additional Chief Secretary Petroleum. Modi and Aparna Arora are the only common faces present on the announcement of commencement as well as completion of project.
“It's a rare scene in bureaucracy that the officer, who is involved in commencement of project is there for ribbon cutting as well,” said former IAS officer RC Jain.
During these eight years, the state saw three Chief Ministers – Vasundhara Raje, Ashok Gehlot and now Bhajan Lal Sharma. Arora also traversed through various departments including social justice and women empowerment, pollution control board, forest, rural development, revenue, school education and minority affairs to complete a full circle at mines and petroleum again.
“It must be an emotional moment for Aparna Arora, who witnessed the start of the project and is also present at the inauguration of the project. After the launch, she saw the project build up from outside and at the final hooter, she is there to hold the flag,” said Jain, who has seen the colours of bureaucracy over last 40 years.
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