Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government has chosen a full-time chief executive officer (CEO) for the Greater Noida Authority ahead of the 2024 general elections, and also at a time when farmers have stepped up the ask for land prices.
Known as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s “favourite officer”, Ravikumar NG took over from Ritu Maheshwari, who had additional charge of the Greater Noida Authority. Maheshwari will continue to be the Noida CEO.
According to sources, this significant reshuffle comes after local leaders told the chief minister that Maheshwari was not paying much attention to Greater Noida, which was detrimental to the BJP’s prospects ahead of the 2024 elections.
A senior official said local BJP leaders had a feeling that Maheshwari was not attentive enough towards Greater Noida. “IAS Ravikumar’s name was doing the rounds, and after several meetings, it was decided that he should be appointed the new CEO,” the official said.
The reshuffle is also seen as the state government’s initiative to create a robust system in Greater Noida or Gautam Buddh Nagar.
Yogi’s favorite:
The new CEO was earlier the commissioner of Gorakhpur division – Yogi’s bastion.
He has also served as district magistrate of Gorakhpur, Agra and Mathura before being appointed the commissioner in 2021. An IAS officer of the 2004 batch, Ravikumar has worked in tourism, culture and the religious affairs secretary.
From Karnataka, Ravikumar also served as the director of Uttar Pradesh Tourism.
Why a CEO for greater Noida?
The district’s farmers – from its 124 villages – have recently upped their protests demanding a 64 per cent increase in the price of land that authorities need to develop Greater Noida.
Meanwhile, homebuyers have also agitated over property concerns like the delay in registrations.
As soon as Ravikumar became the CEO, one of his first comments was reported to be about the importance of discussion to solve any issue.
Meanwhile, farmers have said they were looking forward to meeting the new CEO with their demands.
“We hope our demands will be heard. We have planned a protest on 18 July. The CEO has called us before that. We are very happy and hopeful after the CEO was changed. We are in a mood to talk to him,” said Rupesh Verma, a farmer spearheading the protest in Greater Noida.
Meanwhile, homebuyers have also welcomed the decision of a full-time CEO and said the former officer was inundated with work of both Noida and Greater Noida.
Anu Khan, president of the Noida Extension flat-owners and members association, said: “There are numerous issues facing Greater Noida. Homebuyers have been protesting for years. However, due to the lack of a full-time CEO, issues continued to pile up.”
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