Bengaluru: In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government has appointed IAS officer Anjum Parwez (1994 batch) as the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister. Parwez, who currently heads the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, will now also hold charge of the Forest, Ecology & Environment department. His tenure is expected to continue until February 2029, marking a long period of service ahead.
The move comes in the wake of the sudden resignation of LK Atheeq, the outgoing Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister. Atheeq, a 1991-batch IAS officer, had been retained on a contract basis after his superannuation in January 2025 – an unprecedented extension reflecting his close association with CM Siddaramaiah.
IAS Atheeq will now relinquish his administrative duties but will continue to serve as Chairperson of Bengaluru Business Corridor (BBC) Ltd, the special purpose vehicle overseeing the Peripheral Ring Road project. His resignation is driven by a desire to devote time to family and personal interests such as motorcycling and poetry.
Known as Siddaramaiah’s trusted advisor, IAS Atheeq’s multifaceted personality includes literary pursuits like translating Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s work into Kannada and Kannada poet Kuvempu’s works into English. A passionate biker, he has been frequently spotted riding his Triumph Bonneville Bobber and once even rode a vintage 1942 BSA motorcycle used in the iconic film Sholay.
Anjum Parwez’s elevation to this key post signals continuity and experience in the Karnataka administration, especially given his significant role in rural development and environmental affairs.
