His stints as the District Development Officer (Baroda), as the Chairman of District Rural Development Agency (Baroda), as the Collector & District Magistrate (Kheda), as the Commissioner of Labour (Ahmedabad), as the MD of Gujarat State Handicrafts Corporation, as the Commissioner of Rural Development, as the MD of Small & Village Industry Corporation and as the Secretary of Social Justice & Empowerment Department gave him ample opportunities to understand the issues of rural and underserved people, very closely.

As the Assistant Collector & Sub Divisional Magistrate in 1980, he was moved by the plight of the displaced people of the Hathmati irrigation Project in Himatnagar District of Gujarat and restored their rights to cultivate their acquired land when there was no water stored in the reservoir, which otherwise was forcefully cultivated by local bullies. This was the beginning of his career with the establishment and he had identified himself with a peoples’ movement of the tribals – something which was harbinger of the institution he became in civil services.

As the Collector & District Magistrate of Kheda he secured justice delivery to the victims of Golana Massacre by ensuring a protracted litigation to get the assailants caught and punished. This was the first instance anywhere in the country when perpetrators of mass murders and rioters were punished for their act. He gave arms licences to the victims for self protection, provided support for witness quarantine and got a special public prosecutor appointed for the case. He also ensured unique rehabilitation of the victims by constructing a separate hamlet for the victims.