Kumar Bahukhandi
New Delhi: IAS Deepak Soni: Deepak Soni, the District Collector of Baloda Bazar and a 2011 batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, has been given a significant responsibility by the central government. The Government of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has called him to Delhi for a Central Deputation as a Director. He is credited with starting the Dannex Garment Factory in the Naxal-affected Dantewada district, providing employment to 750 poor tribal women and generating a business worth approximately 30 crore rupees.
IAS Deepak Soni, one of the capable officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) from the Chhattisgarh cadre, is once again in the news. He has been called to Delhi. Deepak Soni, a 2011 batch IAS officer, has been appointed to a central deputation as Director in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
Who is IAS Deepak Soni?
IAS Deepak Soni is currently the District Collector of Baloda Bazar district in Chhattisgarh. He is originally from Durg district in Chhattisgarh. The Government of India has issued an order regarding his central deputation and has written to the Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh instructing them to relieve him from his current duties with immediate effect. This central deputation will be for a period of five years. He will soon assume his new responsibilities in Delhi after the completion of the formal procedures.
He has also held important responsibilities in Dantewada.
Deepak Soni is known as an administrator whose strong field presence, sensitivity, and innovative work style have given him a distinct identity. In his administrative career, he has held important responsibilities in Raipur, Surajpur, Dantewada, Kondagaon, and currently in Baloda Bazar district.
Dannex Garment Factory: The launch of the Dannex Garment Factory in Dantewada
His tenure in Dantewada, a particularly Naxal-affected area, is considered historic. Here, he not only struck a balance between security and administration but also established development as the strongest weapon against Naxalism. By launching the Dannex Garment Factory in Dantewada, he brought national recognition to the district. This initiative provided employment to thousands of local women and opened the path to economic self-reliance.
What is the Dannex Garment Factory?
Tribal women from the families of surrendered Naxalites have started their own garment factory, DANNEX. It has been named ‘Dannex,’ short for Dantewada Next. ‘Dannex’ has already achieved a turnover of Rs. 30 crore. Major companies across the country are collaborating with ‘Dannex.’ The factory is providing employment to approximately 750 underprivileged women, improving their living standards. The factory’s clothing brand is registered under the name DANNEX. The name Dannex was chosen because it stands for Dantewada Next.
AS Deepak Soni Central Deputation Order
Not only that, his innovative efforts, such as providing employment opportunities to surrendered Naxalites, reaching remote Naxal-affected areas on his motorcycle to interact with villagers, and delivering education, healthcare, and basic amenities to every village, earned him widespread acclaim across the country. His efforts were seen in administrative circles as a ‘Development Model in Naxal Areas’.
National Award for Water Conservation
Subsequently, in Kondagaon district, he achieved remarkable success through the effective implementation of development schemes, administrative transparency, and public participation. Currently, in Balodabazar, his working style is considered strict, sensitive, and results-oriented. He was recently honored with a national award for water conservation.
Now, his appointment to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the central government is being considered a major achievement for the Chhattisgarh cadre. It is believed that his extensive experience working in the field will play a crucial role in implementing national-level health policies and schemes on the ground.
Deepak Soni’s journey proves that with strong willpower, innovation, and sensitive administration, change is possible even in the most challenging circumstances.
