On December 27, the Gujarat administration nominated Hasmukh Adhia, a former Union finance secretary, and SS Rathore, a former secretary of the state department of roads and buildings, as advisors to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Rathore was chosen as the adviser to CM Patel, and Adhia was chosen as the chief advisor.
Adhia’s return is significant because Prime Minister Narendra Modi recruited the IAS officer from the 1981 batch to that position while Modi was the Gujarati chief minister.
Adhia, who is regarded as close to PM Modi, led the working committee that developed the Gujarat vision for turning India into a $5 trillion economy. In May of last year, the task panel delivered its report to the Gujarati government.
Rathore, who received the Padma Shri award in 2018, is currently serving as managing director of Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRC), the special-purpose entity for the state’s metro projects.
The nominations of Adhia and Rathore suggested that CM Patel will concentrate on finance, economy, education, and infrastructure during his second term.
Adhia, a retired IAS officer from the Gujarat cadre who left the service in November 2018, oversaw operations in the finance ministry during the introduction of the Goods & Services Tax (GST) in India. On issues pertaining to finances, economics, education, energy, renewable energy, investments, etc., he will counsel the CM.
Rathore worked for Gujarat Engineering Services as a retired official (GES). Rathore departed as additional chief secretary in 2014 after working for the Gujarat government’s Roads & Buildings and Water Resources departments.
Additionally, he served as chairman and managing director of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL). The Statue of Unity project was finished while Rathore served as Chairman and MD of SSNNL. In recognition of his contribution to infrastructure development, he was also awarded the Padma Shri.
Rathore will serve as the CM’s advisor on matters pertaining to civil aviation, railroads, water resources, the metro rail project, roads and buildings, the Narmada and Kalpasar projects, and civil aviation.
News Mania Desk
