Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji

Panaji, May 7: In a rare and unexpected administrative standoff within the Goa government, two top departments have issued clashing orders appointing different individuals to the crucial post of Chief Town Planner (Planning), sparking confusion and speculation across the state's bureaucracy.

On Monday, the Personnel Department, which falls under Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, issued an official order appointing R K Pandita, a senior town planner, to take over the charge of Chief Town Planner (Planning) in the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department.

However, in a dramatic twist the very next day, the TCP ministry—headed by Minister Vishwajit Rane—issued a counter order appointing Vertika Dagur, Chief Town Planner (Administration), to the same post, also with immediate effect.

The controversy arose following the suspension of outgoing Chief Town Planner Rajesh Naik, whose service extension ended on April 30. Naik was suspended on the final day of his extended tenure over alleged irregularities related to underassessment of land conversion fees under Section 17(2) of the TCP Act. The mishandling is believed to have caused a significant financial loss to the state exchequer.

Sources within the government pointed out that there are currently three Chief Town Planners in the TCP department—Naik (Planning), Ranjit Borkar (Land Use), and Dagur (Administration). The clash of orders appears to stem from a lack of coordination or possibly a power tussle between the departments.

As per protocol, the Personnel Department has the authority to appoint heads of departments, including high-ranking civil servants and police officials above the rank of superintendent. The order issued by under-secretary Durga Kinlekar stated, “R K Pandita, senior town planner, town & country planning department, shall hold the charge of the post of chief town planner (planning), TCP department, with immediate effect in addition to his own duties and until further orders.”

Contradicting this, a second order signed by TCP deputy director Nadia Ashraf Ali Shekoli on Tuesday said, “As directed, the undersigned hereby conveys the decision of govt to give additional charge of the chief town planner (Planning) to Vertika Dagur, in addition to her own duties, with immediate effect, until further orders.”

This administrative tug-of-war has raised eyebrows in political and bureaucratic circles, with many questioning the communication gaps within the state machinery. Observers note that such duplicity in appointments is virtually unheard of in recent Goa administrative history.

As the two departments remain locked in a silent face-off, it remains to be seen which officer will ultimately assume charge, and whether Chief Minister Sawant will intervene to settle the issue.