Controversy has erupted over appointment of Registrar in Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), Rajasthan. RERA chief Veenu Gupta selected Rajeev Jain, former RAS officer, who is serving as Registrar in the Rajasthan Information Commission (RIC). The same commission where Veenu Gupta's husband former IAS DB Gupta was chief information commissioner (CIC). Gupta completed his tenure in information commission on December 9, 2023 – four days after Veenu Gupta took over as chairperson of RERA.
“Rajeev Jain is considered close to DB Gupta. No wonder, Veenu Gupta recommended for his appointment to the government,” said a retired administrative service officer, who knows three of them.
Veenu Gupta directly recommended name of Rajeev Jain
Veenu Gupta nominated name of Rajeev Jain as registrar after then registrar RC Sharma completed his term on July 31, 2024. Gupta didn't follow the procedure and directly sent Jain's name for appointment to UDH department, which is the dealing department of RERA.
The UDH department then returned her recommendation asking RERA to advertise the post and follow due procedures after screening and then short listing the candidates.
RERA advertised the post and then shortlisted two candidates – Rajeev Jain and Rajendra Sharma former IAS – without any formal interview and screening.
“Rajeev Jain was recommended as the first choice and his name was sent for appointment along with Rajendra Sharma as the second choice,” said a senior official.
Meanwhile, chief minister office came into picture. It sent name of Ram Chandra Bairwa, retired RAS officer to be appointed as registrar on the recommendation of deputy chief minister Prem Chand Bairwa, who belongs to the same community.
RERA, however returned the recommendation citing that Bairwa is not eligible for appointment as he was not among the 13 applicants who had applied for the post when it was advertised.
What rule says
While RERA officials say that RERA chairperson is the competent authority to appoint staff of the authority, rules say that RERA chairman can appoint Registrar and other important officials in consultation with the government.
“RERA chief has recommended name for registrar for consultation with the government. The government has turned down. Let's see what happens next,” says a senior official.
Veenu Gupta removed all retired officials appointed by former RERA chief NC Goel
After appointment as RERA chief Veenu Gupta removed retired officers appointed by her predecessor. Those included three private secretaries, joint registrar law, joint registrar account, two deputy registrars and registrar among few others.
“Veenu Gupta even turned down recommendation of former RERA member Shailendra Agrawal who recommended services of one of the private secretaries K Thomas to continue,” said one of the staff who was shown the exit door.
The BuckStopper could not confirm it with Shailendra Agrawal.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.
