In a big move in bureaucracy before Lok Sabha Election 2024, a significant bureaucratic reshuffle was announced abruptly on Monday. This shake-up involves fresh appointments and lateral shifts of five senior-most IAS officers, occurring amid the final phase of the ongoing LS Polls.
Notably, the reshuffle includes the empanelment of Additional Secretaries from the 1999 IAS batch, which has raised eyebrows given its timing. The decisions suggest that another list of appointments to the post of Additional Secretary may be forthcoming before the formation of the new government at the Centre.
The newly reshuffled union secretaries are as follows:
Amit Yadav (IAS: 1991: AGMUT) has been appointed as Officer on Special Duty, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment. He will assume the role of Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, replacing Saurabh Garg upon his retirement on July 31, 2024. Mr. Yadav currently serves as Chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
Raj Kumar Goyal (IAS: 1990: AGMUT) has been laterally shifted from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the post of Secretary, Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law & Justice. Mr. Goyal was recently appointed as Secretary, Department of Border Management under the MHA.
Rajendra Kumar (IAS: 1992: TN) has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Border Management under the MHA, replacing Raj Kumar Goyal. Mr. Kumar is currently the Director General of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
Rakesh Ranjan (IAS: 1992: MN) has been appointed as Chairman, Staff Selection Commission (SSC) in the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India, with the post temporarily upgraded and Recruitment Rules (RR) put on hold. Mr. Ranjan is presently Special Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Pradip Kumar Tripathi (IAS: 1987: AGMUT) has been appointed as Secretary to the Lokpal of India until his retirement on June 30, 2024, and will continue on contract for two years beyond retirement. Mr. Tripathi is currently Secretary (Coordination), Cabinet Secretariat.
