Chandigarh: The Haryana government has transferred three senior IAS officers in an administrative reshuffle, changing responsibilities across the State Transport, social justice, urban development and mass rapid transit sectors.
The changes include the return of Nikhil Gajraj, IAS (HY: 2008) from deputation to the Government of India. He has been posted as Director General, State Transport, Haryana.
The reshuffle also changes the responsibilities of Mukul Kumar, IAS (HY: 2011) and Ajay Kumar, IAS (HY: 2013). Their new assignments cover important departments and agencies, including the Haryana Shaheri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation and the Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare department.
Nikhil Gajraj Returns From Central Deputation
Nikhil Gajraj, a 2008-batch Haryana-cadre IAS officer, has returned to the state after completing his deputation with the Government of India.
He has now been appointed Director General, State Transport, Haryana. According to reports on the transfer order, he will take over the charge from Dhirendra Khadgata, IAS, who was holding the State Transport DG position.
The new assignment places Gajraj at the helm of the state transport administration, which deals with the functioning and management of Haryana’s transport system.
Mukul Kumar Gets Social Justice Responsibilities
Mukul Kumar, IAS (HY: 2011), has been relieved of the charge of Chief Administrator, Haryana Shaheri Vikas Pradhikaran, Panchkula.
He has instead been entrusted with the charge of Director and Special Secretary, Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and Antyodaya Sewa.
Reports also state that Kumar has been given the responsibility of Mission Director, Mukhya Mantri Antyodaya Parivar Utthaan Yojana.
The department handles programmes and administrative work related to social justice, welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and support for vulnerable sections.
Kumar will, however, continue with several of his existing responsibilities. These include Managing Director, Gurugram Metro Rail Ltd and Director and Special Secretary, Hospitality.
This means his revised portfolio continues to include responsibilities connected with Gurugram’s urban transport planning along with his new social justice assignment.
Ajay Kumar Takes Charge of HSVP
Ajay Kumar, IAS (HY: 2013), has also received a significant change in responsibilities.
He has been entrusted with the charge of Chief Administrator, Haryana Shaheri Vikas Pradhikaran, Panchkula, along with the charge of Managing Director, Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation Ltd.
Ajay Kumar has been relieved of his earlier responsibility as Director and Special Secretary, Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and Antyodaya Sewa.
His new responsibilities place him in charge of two major urban-development and public-transport-related organisations.
Shift in Key Urban and Transport Portfolios
The reshuffle brings changes across several areas of Haryana’s administration.
Nikhil Gajraj’s return from central deputation strengthens the senior leadership of the State Transport Department. At the same time, the HSVP and Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation have moved under Ajay Kumar’s charge.
Mukul Kumar’s shift from HSVP to the Social Justice and Welfare department also changes the administrative leadership of welfare-related programmes in the state.
The three officers therefore receive portfolios spanning transport, urban development, social welfare and mass rapid transit, making the reshuffle relevant to several areas of public administration.
What the Reshuffle Means
The latest Haryana IAS reshuffle changes the administrative responsibilities of three officers from different batches of the Haryana cadre.
For citizens, the immediate significance lies in the change of senior officers heading departments and state agencies responsible for public transport, urban development and welfare programmes.
The posting of Nikhil Gajraj as State Transport DG comes after his return from the Centre, while Ajay Kumar’s new HSVP and mass rapid transit responsibilities give him a wider role in Haryana’s urban infrastructure and transportation administration.
Mukul Kumar’s new social justice portfolio, meanwhile, places him in charge of administrative responsibilities concerning Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Antyodaya-related welfare work.
The changes reflect the state government’s latest allocation of responsibilities among senior IAS officers and bring new administrative leadership to several key sectors of Haryana’s governance.
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