appointment

Seasoned diplomat Sanjay Kumar Verma, an IFS 1988 batch was appointed as India's next High Commissioner to Canada, on September 6. Verma replaced Amit Kumar, currently Consulate General of India in Chicago, who has been named as the next ambassador to the Republic of Korea. Meanwhile, presently Sanjay Verma is India's Ambassador to Japan and will soon take up new roles, said the Ministry of External Affairs.

Gen Manoj Pande took over as the 29th Chief of the Army Staff on April 30, succeeding incumbent Gen MM Naravane, who retired from service. Notably, Gen Pande is the first officer from the Corps of Engineers to direct the army force. Furthermore, prior to CAS, Gen Pande was vice chief of the Army, head of Eastern Army Command. The new CAS appointment came amid security-challenges by Pakistan and China.

Justice Rohinton Nariman's retirement on August 12 has left behind not just a vacancy but a 22 month-long stalemate situation surrounding the appointment of judges. Sources said, Nariman, the second most senior SC judge, believed that an agreement on names cannot be reached unless two judges in the High Court's seniority list are recommended first. This retirement leaves the SC with 25 judges against the sanctioned number of 34.

Rakesh Asthana, who is currently serving as the Chief of the Border Security Force (BSF) will hold the prestigious position of the Delhi Police Commissioner. IPS Officer Balaji Srivastava will be replaced by 1984 batch IPS Officer Asthana, as per the circular issued by MHA on July 27th. He has been given the post of Delhi Police Commissioner before three days he was to be superannuated.