Shimla: In a major administrative reshuffle aimed at ensuring seamless governance during the absence of key officers, the Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu-led Himachal Pradesh government has assigned additional responsibilities to eight IAS officers. The move comes as several senior officers are currently on leave or undergoing training.
Orders regarding the additional charges were issued by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, enabling these IAS officers to manage extra portfolios in addition to their existing responsibilities.
Revised Portfolios of IAS Officers
The key reassignments include –
Dr. Abhishek Jain, IAS, currently Secretary (PWD, Finance, Planning, Economic & Statistics, and 20 Point Program), will now also handle the additional charge of Secretary to the Chief Minister.
M. Sudha Devi, IAS, Secretary (Health and Family Welfare, and Personnel), will now also serve as Secretary (MPP and Electricity, NCES, and Education).
C. Paulrasu, IAS, Secretary (AR, Training & FA, RPG, Cooperation, Horticulture & Agriculture), has been given the additional charge of Secretary (Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department).
Ritesh Chauhan, IAS, Secretary (Animal Husbandry), will also manage the Transport & Industry departments.
Rajesh Sharma, IAS, Secretary (Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & GAD), has been given additional charge of Secretary (SAD, SWD & Parliamentary Affairs).
Rakhil Kahlon, IAS, currently Secretary (AYUSH & DT&G), will now also serve as Divisional Commissioner of Shimla Division, in addition to his current responsibilities as Secretary (Information & Public Relations, Language, Art & Culture, Technical Education & JSV).
Dr. Richa Verma, Managing Director, Himachal Pradesh Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation Limited, has been appointed as Managing Director of HPMC Shimla, HP Agro Industries Corporation, and HP Agro Industrial Packaging India Ltd.
Rakesh Kumar Prajapati, IAS, currently Director (Energy), will take additional charge as Managing Director of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL).
Reason Behind the Administrative Shuffle
The reshuffling was necessitated due to leaves and training of senior officers, including –
R.D. Nazim, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs, Transport & Industry)
Rakesh Kanwar, IAS, Secretary (Education, LAC, I&PR, SAD, SWD, Parliamentary Affairs, MPP, Energy and NCES, and Secretary to the Chief Minister)
Additionally, IAS officers Kadam Sandeep Vasant, Sudesh Kumar Mokhta, and Sandeep Kumar are currently undergoing training, which has also contributed to the temporary redistribution of departmental responsibilities.
The move is seen as a routine administrative measure to ensure continuity of governance and avoid disruption in departmental functions in the absence of key officials.
