Raipur, Chhattisgarh: The Chhattisgarh government has announced a strategic reshuffle within its administrative ranks, assigning additional responsibilities to five IAS officers. The move comes as the state aims to optimize its governance structure, particularly after three IAS officers recently proceeded on central deputation.
The General Administration Department issued the orders, detailing the new portfolios.
Expanded Portfolios for Senior IAS Officers
The reassignments primarily involve granting additional charges to existing officers, leveraging their experience across multiple departments:
Dr. Rohit Yadav, an IAS officer of 2002 batch: The current Secretary of the Energy Department will now also hold the additional charge of Secretary, Tourism and Cultural Department. This expansion of his portfolio aims to infuse new energy into the state’s tourism and cultural initiatives.
2003 batch IAS officer Avinash Champawat: Already handling the crucial charges of General Administration Department (GAD) along with Revenue and Disaster Management, Mr. Champawat has been given the additional responsibility of Secretary, Public Grievance Redressal Department. This move is expected to strengthen the public’s access to grievance resolution mechanisms.
Ankit Anand, 2006 batch: Currently overseeing the Housing and Environment Department, Ankit Anand has been entrusted with the additional charge of Secretary, Commercial Tax (Registration) Department. This indicates a focus on enhancing revenue collection and streamlining commercial processes.
Himshikhar Gupta, 2007 batch IAS officer: The Home Secretary, Himshikhar Gupta, will now also hold the additional charge of the Labor Department. This addition to his existing responsibilities is likely to improve coordination between law enforcement and labor welfare initiatives.
2011 batch IAS officer Chandan Kumar as New NRDA CEO: In a significant development, Chandan Kumar has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Naya Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran (NRDA). This appointment follows the central deputation of the previous NRDA CEO, Saurabh Kumar. Chandan Kumar will also hold the additional charge of Special Secretary, Finance Department, and continue with his current responsibilities.
Context of Central Deputations
These administrative adjustments are a direct consequence of three IAS officers from Chhattisgarh being relieved for central deputation.
While specific names of all three officers on central deputation were not immediately released, the information confirms that 2009 batch IAS officer Saurabh Kumar, the former NRDA CEO, is among them. This development underscores the flow of administrative talent from the state to the national level and necessitates the state government to redistribute critical responsibilities to maintain efficiency.
The Chhattisgarh government’s decision to assign additional charges reflects a strategy to ensure continuity and effective administration across key sectors, maintaining a robust bureaucratic framework despite the departure of officers to central roles.
