Ever since she has joined as an IAS officer in Jharkhand, Garima Singh, the new sub-divisional officer (SDO) of Ranchi, has hogged public attention for all good reasons. From turning an adopted Anganwadi in Hazaribagh to an ideal center to carrying out extensive raids against illegal liquor production in Ranchi and acting tough on the encroachers, the officer has won the praise of her seniors and the people in general for her works.
“She is a dynamic and committed officer,” the Ranchi deputy commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray stated when asked to give an opinion on her.
Notably, Singh joined as Ranchi SDO at beginning of current month when the State capital was reeling under the shock of seven deaths owing to liqour tragedy in Hatma village. Soon, she participated in meetings with local people urging them to cooperate with the administration in preventing illegal manufacture and sale and of liqour. Then, she went about her job carrying out raids against illegal traders of liquor. An operation conducted by her in Horap village under Tatisilwai police station area led to recovery of large quantity of country-made liquor and mahua, which is used for making alcohol.
A few days after, she was on the main streets of the state capital removing encroachment. She enforced the drive so strictly that many of the encroachers fled away with their articles even before she approached them. Her works have been widely reported in the media while even some of her pictures during operations have become viral.
It may be mentioned here that before joining as SDO Ranchi, she also served as welfare officer in Hazaribagh. She had adopted an aganwadi centre in Hazaribag and spent money from her pocket to bring about a drastic change of the unit. Now it is regarded as an ideal aganwadi center.
Singh, daughter of retired public servant, Omkar Nath Singh, initially wanted to become a doctor. Her father, however, urged her to pursue a career in civil services. After completing her graduation from St Stephens College in History she took the UPSC civil services examination and was selected for Indian Police Services. She served as SP city in Jhansi. She made it to IAS in 2016.
When asked on her approach towards work she said that she is learning from experience on how to perform her duties in the best possible ways. “In a short stint in Ranchi I have learnt a lot,” she said. While speaking on her priority she stated, “The administration would undertake drives against sale of adulterated food items in the capital. Then we would also carry out operation against overloading on the trucks and other vehicles”.
It may be noted here that immediately after joining, the SDO stressed on disposing all pending works in her office as soon as possible. She had added that steps would be taken to ensure caste residential, income certificates were provided to the applicants within the time period.