New Delhi: In one of the biggest administrative exercises undertaken by the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government since assuming office, 60 IAS and DANICS officers have been transferred and reassigned across departments, district administrations and ministerial offices.
The large-scale bureaucratic reshuffle, ordered by the Services Department on Wednesday, comes amid an ongoing controversy over alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines and medical equipment in the Health Department. The reshuffle affects several senior officers, including secretaries to cabinet ministers, district magistrates, health officials and officers heading critical departments such as General Administration, Social Welfare, Urban Development and Fire Services.
Officials indicated that another round of transfers could follow as investigations into procurement-related irregularities continue.
Health Department Witnesses Sweeping Changes
The Health Department emerged as the biggest focus of the reshuffle, with nearly all secretary-level officers posted in the department being reassigned.
The transfers come in the backdrop of investigations into alleged irregularities in the Central Procurement Agency (CPA). Last week, the Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) arrested a doctor in connection with an alleged Rs 350-crore fraud involving the procurement of medicines and medical equipment for government hospitals.
Officials said the government has also initiated probes against two senior health officials.
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Among the key changes:
- IAS officer Sanjeev Kumar, serving as Special Secretary (Health), has been transferred to the Trade and Taxes Department as Special Commissioner.
- South West District Magistrate Mekala Chaitanya Prasad (IAS:2015) has been appointed Special Secretary (Health).
- Yash Chaudhary, Special Secretary (Health), has been assigned additional charge of the Central Procurement Agency with delegated financial powers of Head of Department (HoD), effectively removing the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) from its HoD-level financial authority over the agency.
Secretaries to Ministers Reassigned
The reshuffle also involved the transfer of secretaries attached to several cabinet ministers.
Vaibhav Rikhari (DANICS:2013), who served as Secretary to Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, has been transferred as Director of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB).
Mukesh Rajora (DANICS:2013), previously serving as ADM (HQ), has been appointed the new Secretary to Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh, who also holds the Transport and IT portfolios.
Similarly, Vinay Kumar Jindal (DANICS:2014), Secretary to Law and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, has been transferred as Director of the Delhi Jal Board. He will be replaced by Ranjeet Kumar Singh (DANICS:2014), who was serving as Joint Director in the Education Department.
Rajesh Chaudhary (DANICS:2013), previously Joint Secretary in Urban Development, has been appointed Secretary to Industries and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
Ankur Mehsram (DANICS:2014), ADM (Outer North), has been posted as Secretary to Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Singh Indraj.
Senior IAS Officers Given Additional Responsibilities
Several senior IAS officers have been entrusted with additional responsibilities as part of the reshuffle.
Senior IAS officer Bipul Pathak (IAS:1992), currently Additional Chief Secretary (Social Welfare) and ACS (SC/ST/OBC), has been given the additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Women and Child Development Department.
Navin Kumar Chaudhary (IAS:1994), Additional Chief Secretary of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, will now also hold the additional charge of the General Administration Department (GAD).
Pandurang Pole (IAS:1994) has been relieved from the General Administration Department and posted as Secretary (Land & Building). He has additionally been assigned the responsibilities of Secretary-cum-Commissioner (Labour) and Secretary (Cooperation).
Sandeep Kumar Singh (IAS:2011), currently Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office and Special Secretary (Finance), has been entrusted with additional charge as Managing Director of the recently revived Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation.
Fire Services Department Gets New Leadership
A significant change has also been made in the Delhi Fire Services following a series of major fire incidents across the city.
Neduchezhiyan, who was serving as Principal Director of Delhi Fire Services, has been relieved of the charge.
Sachin Rana (IAS:2014), currently Special Secretary (Home), has been assigned additional responsibilities as:
- Principal Director, Delhi Fire Services
- Special Secretary, Urban Development
- Special Secretary, Home
The change comes shortly after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena reviewed fire safety preparedness following the devastating Hauz Rani Bed & Breakfast fire that claimed 23 lives. During the review, the fire department was reportedly criticised for failing to enforce fire safety norms effectively.
District Administration Also Reshuffled
Several district magistrates have been transferred as part of the administrative shake-up.
Key district-level changes include:
- KK Lakshman (IAS:2017) transferred from Old Delhi District Magistrate to South West Delhi District Magistrate.
- Anmol Srivastava (IAS:2018), District Magistrate of East Delhi, posted as Special Commissioner (Transport).
- Multiple Sub-Divisional Magistrates and district-level officers have also been reassigned to new responsibilities.
Health Probe Seen as Trigger for Reshuffle
Officials indicated that the reshuffle is closely linked to ongoing investigations into procurement irregularities in the Health Department.
The controversy intensified after the arrest of a senior official associated with the Central Procurement Agency. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had recently sought the transfer of 39 health department officials, including personnel posted in Tihar prisons and various health institutions.
Sources within the administration suggest that the government is keen to strengthen accountability mechanisms and improve administrative efficiency through the latest round of postings.
60 Officers Affected
The reshuffle impacts a total of 60 officers, including:
- 17 IAS officers belonging to the AGMUT cadre.
- 43 DANICS officers.
The transfers have been implemented with immediate effect and are expected to significantly alter the administrative landscape of the Delhi government, particularly in departments dealing with health services, public administration, urban development and emergency response systems.
