IAS officer Vijay Kiran Anand, who was in charge of organising the upcoming Maha Kumbh-2025, has been given a significant new responsibility. The state government on Wednesday appointed him as the Secretary of the Industrial Development Department and the CEO of Invest UP.
Vijay Kiran Anand, a 2009 batch IAS officer, will also continue to hold the additional charge of Kumbh Mela Officer. This appointment comes after IAS officer Abhishek Prakash, who was serving as the CEO of Invest UP, was suspended on March 20 following allegations of commission-taking.
Vijay Kiran Anand is considered to be close to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and is known for his positive approach and quick delivery of tasks.
Key Responsibilities for Vijay Kiran Anand:
- Overseeing Invest UP as its CEO.
- Serving as the Secretary of the Industrial Development Department.
- Continuing his responsibilities as the Kumbh Mela Officer for the upcoming Maha Kumbh 2025.
- Being responsible for ground-breaking ceremonies to realise investment proposals worth approximately ₹30 lakh crore.
- Facing the challenge of organising another Global Investors Summit to achieve the investment target of ₹110 lakh crore.
- Potentially investigating past irregularities within Invest UP.
Background on Abhishek Prakash’s Suspension:
Abhishek Prakash was suspended following accusations of demanding a commission in exchange for clearing a solar project file.
Vijay Kiran Anand’s Track Record:
Vijay Kiran Anand is credited with the successful organisation of the Prayagraj Kumbh in 2019 and the ongoing preparations for the Maha Kumbh 2025. He was appointed as the Mela Officer two years prior to the Kumbh. Despite a stampede incident on the night of January 28/29, the 45-day Kumbh Mela was successfully conducted, with over 660 million devotees participating.
Notably, the post of Director General of Basic School Education was initially created for Vijay Kiran Anand. In 2019, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath praised his work style, and he was subsequently appointed as the Director General of School Education.
Before the 2022 assembly elections, CM Yogi appointed Vijay Kiran Anand as the District Magistrate of his home district, Gorakhpur. The government also stood by Vijay Kiran during a controversy related to reservation in the recruitment of 69,000 assistant teachers.
