THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, May 28: 2018-batch IAS officer Sameera S began her tenure as the new Deputy Commissioner of Palamu with a packed schedule on her very first day in office. After taking charge from outgoing DC Shashi Ranjan on Tuesday evening in a simple handover ceremony, she wasted no time in immersing herself in district affairs.
On Wednesday, Sameera toured various offices within the collectorate before convening a meeting with senior officials, including DDC Shabbir Ahmad and Additional Collector Kundan Kumar, among others. Her arrival coincided with the weekly Janata Durbar, which saw an enthusiastic turnout, particularly among women who expressed delight at seeing a woman at the helm of the Palamu administration.
One woman visitor remarked, “We had no idea about the change of guard. It was a big surprise for us women to see a lady officer in charge.”
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Familiar Ground, Renewed Enthusiasm
Sameera S is no stranger to Palamu—she previously served as City Commissioner of the Medininagar Municipal Corporation. Her return as DC has sparked enthusiasm among municipal staff, many of whom fondly recall her earlier tenure and are optimistic about her leadership.
In her first address, Sameera S sought the cooperation of all stakeholders to take Palamu “to new heights,” while outgoing DC Shashi Ranjan thanked the people and officials for their support during his tenure.
Recruitment Drive and Supreme Court Deadline
One of the immediate tasks before the new DC is overseeing the recruitment of fourth-grade staff in the collectorate, with the Supreme Court having set a deadline of August 9, 2025, for the completion of the process.
A total of 255 posts are to be filled in the collectorate alone, with several other departments—including forest, irrigation, education, and health—also required to furnish recruitment details.
The key challenge in this process lies in finalizing the reservation roster, which had been delayed due to the Divisional Commissioner post remaining vacant since February. The state government has recently appointed a new Commissioner to expedite this crucial step.
Additional Collector Kundan Kumar said, “We have briefed DC Sameera S about the case, and she has called for a comprehensive meeting on the matter this Thursday. We are confident of meeting the Supreme Court’s deadline.”
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Water Management Emerges as Seasonal Concern
With the India Meteorological Department predicting an early monsoon, the new DC has also been alerted to the district’s persistent challenge of rainwater scarcity in June—a month historically marked by low rainfall. Officials have pitched rainwater harvesting and construction of check dams as potential solutions.
Sources said Sameera S listened attentively to the concerns and expressed interest in exploring sustainable methods like check dams to tackle the district’s water crisis.
