Chandigarh: Haryana is facing a serious administrative crisis with a vacuum at the top of its bureaucracy after Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi underwent bypass heart surgery last Friday and has since been confined to bed. In the absence of any alternative arrangement, the state is currently witnessing a headless bureaucracy at a critical juncture, particularly as preparations are underway for the state budget presentation scheduled for February–March.
No Alternate Charge Assigned, Governance Hit
Despite nearly a week having passed since Rastogi’s hospitalization, the state government has not assigned the additional charge of Chief Secretary to any senior IAS officer. This has led to a governance crisis, especially because Rastogi also holds the additional charge of Finance Secretary, a key position during the budget-making process.
The absence of a full-time or officiating Chief Secretary has raised serious concerns about administrative continuity and decision-making at the highest level of the state government.
Finance Department Also Facing Leadership Gaps
Compounding the crisis is the fact that the post of Finance Commissioner has remained vacant for the past 11 months. With Rastogi hospitalized, Home Secretary Sumita Mishra is currently acting solely as a link officer, a temporary arrangement that limits effective administrative functioning.
In such a situation, the government has the option of appointing a senior IAS officer as Finance Secretary instead of relying on a link officer. At present:
- IAS Ashima Barar (2004:HY) is eligible to function as the link officer of the Finance Secretary
- Mohammad Shain (2002:HY) is posted as Commissioner & Secretary-1 in the Finance Department
- A Commissioner & Secretary-2 is also already in position
Despite these options, no decisive administrative move has been made so far.
Contrast With Past Administrative Handling
The present situation stands in sharp contrast to previous instances when the Haryana government ensured continuity in governance.
In October 2024, when then Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad retired, the government did not leave the post vacant even briefly. Since IAS officer Vivek Joshi—who was slated to take over—was on central deputation and required three days to join, Anurag Rastogi, then Additional Chief Secretary (Finance and Home), was given additional charge of the Chief Secretary.
Similarly, on March 15, 2024, when then Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal proceeded on leave four-and-a-half months before retirement, TVSN Prasad, who was then Finance Commissioner, was assigned the additional charge of Chief Secretary.
Budget Timing Makes Situation More Critical
The crisis has become particularly acute as the state budget is due for presentation in February–March. With the Chief Secretary and Finance Secretary both effectively unavailable and the Finance Commissioner’s post vacant, key policy coordination and fiscal decision-making are being adversely impacted.
Notably, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini himself holds the Finance portfolio, which further underscores the urgency of putting an alternative bureaucratic arrangement in place.
Government Exploring Options, Avoiding Major Shuffle
Sources indicate that the government is keen to resolve the situation without triggering a major bureaucratic reshuffle. The focus is on identifying a suitable senior officer who can step in on an additional or officiating basis during Rastogi’s medical leave.
The government is reportedly assessing the suitability of three 1990-batch IAS officers:
Dr. Sumita Misra Singh
- Due to retire in January 2027
- Currently Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR) and in charge of the Home Department, which is directly overseen by the Chief Minister
- As FCR, she is also the link officer of the Chief Secretary
Considered the strongest contender for the post of officiating Chief Secretary
Sudhir Rajpal
- Senior officer with long administrative experience
- Due to retire in November 2026, making his tenure comparatively short
R. S. Vundru
- Another probable candidate
May be considered for key portfolios such as Home or Finance if Dr. Misra Singh is appointed or given charge as Chief Secretary
Rastogi’s Tenure Nearing Its End
It is pertinent to note that Anurag Rastogi had technically retired last year but was granted a one-year extension. He is now scheduled to superannuate on June 30, 2026.
Given his medical condition and the administrative urgency, the government faces mounting pressure to act swiftly to ensure continuity and stability at the top of the state administration.
Administrative Continuity at Stake
With the budget exercise underway and key departments operating under temporary arrangements, the lack of a designated Chief Secretary risks slowing governance and policy implementation. Precedents clearly exist for assigning additional charge during such periods, making the current delay increasingly difficult to justify.
Read also: Haryana Govt Refuses Nod to Prosecute IAS Officer Vijay Dahiya in Corruption Case
