Exclusive Author: Braving the severity of Covid-19, this 1996 batch IAS officer never missed a day in office. His dedication to work and determination to serve people during the pandemic is exemplary for officers in public service. Meet senior bureaucrat, the principal secretary energy and chairman of all discoms in Rajasthan – Dinesh Kumar.
His smile is as infectious as his energy. You just can’t remain untouched if you are around this dynamic bureaucrat, who is leading Rajasthan to become ‘power reservoir’ of the country. Helming the energy department in the state is not just challenging but tricky also. But Dinesh Kumar, an engineering graduate from the prestigious IIT Kanpur, took up the cudgels to shape the future of energy index of the state. From the interior solar beds of Jaisalmer to banks of Mahi river; from the crest of Thar in Barmer to simmering Suratgarh, Kumar has a task cut out to channelise 9000 MW of power being generated from the state.
A man of few words, Kumar believes in action. Whether it was his tenure as mines secretary or local self governance (LSG), he created milestones in every roadmap. His central deputation as Joint Secretary in agriculture had also been eventful. He sowed the seeds in horticulture department during his four-year-long tenure, which the country is reaping now. India is on its way to become the largest producer of horticultural crops, growing at 5% per annum.
“I enjoy whatever I do. And I always keep in mind how my work can improve lives at the last mile,” is the mantra which Kumar shares.
Kumar, known to be a forthright officer, has a great understanding of Rajasthan and its people. While senior officers regard him as efficient and visionary, for subordinates and colleagues Kumar is a role model. His affable demeanour puts everyone at ease. Be it a rustic villager coming all the way from remote Barmer village or a suave business tycoon, Kumar is the same for everyone. His aim is to bring smile on public faces by appropriate interventions. His meticulous planning, mobilisation of right kind of resources and diligent working decodes success for the state government.
Now providing every dhani with 24X7 affordable power is his mission. For that he is designing schemes and plans. Right from efficiency of power plants to setting up mega power plants, from reducing transmission losses to preventing heavy thefts, Kumar has a big task up his sleeves. Even chief minister Ashok Gehlot feels he is the best person to man this hottest seat. Gehlot has entrusted Kumar to make Rajasthan a ‘powerfull’ state. And Kumar is also not disappointing him. The roadmap which he has drafted looks practical on ground and promises error free execution with surgical precision.
