Raipur: The General Administration Department (GAD) of the Chhattisgarh government has issued orders for a significant administrative reshuffle, assigning major responsibilities to three Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers. The reshuffle includes the posting of a new District Collector for Bastar and the allocation of additional charges to senior officers in key departments linked to education, urban development, and planning.
The orders have been issued in the name of the Governor and came into effect on January 21, 2026.
IAS Akash Chhikara Appointed as Bastar Collector
As per the official order, IAS Chhikara (2017 batch) has been appointed as the Collector of Bastar, one of the state’s most strategically and administratively significant districts.
Prior to this posting, Mr Chhikara was serving as Joint Secretary in the Housing and Environment Department. In addition to his departmental role, he was also holding the additional charge of the Raipur Development Authority (RDA) and the Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority (NRANDA).
His appointment as Bastar Collector is being viewed as an important administrative move, considering the district’s socio-economic, tribal, and developmental significance.
IAS Kiran Kaushal Given Charge of Samagra Shiksha
The government has also entrusted IAS Kaushal (2009 batch) with a crucial responsibility in the education sector.
According to the order:
- While continuing in her role as Secretary, Ministry, Kiran Kaushal has been temporarily posted as Commissioner, Samagra Shiksha
- She has also been given the additional charge of Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation
The order further clarifies that the post of Commissioner, Samagra Shiksha will be treated as an equivalent cadre post in terms of prestige, responsibility, and status under the IAS (Pay) Rules, 2016.
This move is expected to strengthen the implementation of integrated school education programmes across the state.
IAS Avnish Sharan Gets Additional Charge of RDA CEO
In the same administrative order, IAS Sharan (2009 batch) has been assigned an additional key responsibility in urban governance.
Currently, Avnish Sharan is holding:
- Additional charge of Commissioner, Town and Country Planning
- Additional charge of Commissioner, Housing Board
He has now been given the additional charge of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Raipur Development Authority (RDA), alongside his existing responsibilities.
The order specifies that this arrangement will be effective from January 21, 2026.
Focus on Governance, Urban Development and Education
The latest reshuffle reflects the state government’s focus on:
- Strengthening district administration in sensitive regions like Bastar
- Improving urban planning and infrastructure development in Raipur
- Enhancing the quality and governance of school education under the Samagra Shiksha framework
By assigning additional responsibilities to experienced IAS officers, the government aims to ensure administrative efficiency and coordinated decision-making across departments.
Orders Issued by General Administration Department
The reshuffle orders were issued by the General Administration Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, and formally notified in the name of the Governor of Chhattisgarh, making them effective immediately as per the mentioned dates.
