Aizawl: The Mizoram Government on Thursday carried out a significant reshuffle of senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, reassigning key portfolios just a week after Chief Minister Lalduhoma assumed charge of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DP&AR) from Home Minister K. Sapdanga.
The latest administrative changes involve the transfer of senior IAS officers overseeing crucial departments, with Cooperation Secretary Udit Prakash Rai being entrusted with the important DP&AR portfolio in addition to his existing responsibilities. However, the decision has sparked criticism on social media due to Rai’s past disciplinary proceedings.
K Lalthawmmawia shifted to Education and Sports
According to an official government order issued on Thursday, K. Lalthawmmawia, who was serving as Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms as well as the Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation Department, has been transferred.
He will now head the School Education Department along with the Sports and Youth Services Department, taking charge of sectors considered vital for the state’s human resource development.
The reshuffle comes shortly after Chief Minister Lalduhoma personally took over the DP&AR portfolio, a department that plays a central role in personnel management, postings, transfers and overall administrative reforms within the state government.
Udit Prakash Rai gets additional responsibility
As part of the reshuffle, Udit Prakash Rai, Secretary of the Cooperation Department, has been assigned the additional charge of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms.
Besides DP&AR, Rai will continue to oversee the Cooperation Department as well as the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department, expanding his administrative responsibilities within the Mizoram government.
Appointment triggers online criticism
Soon after the posting order was issued, the appointment of Udit Prakash Rai to the DP&AR department drew criticism on social media.
Several users referred to reports relating to the 2007-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer, highlighting that he had been suspended by the Ministry of Home Affairs in July 2023. They also cited reports claiming that he had faced investigations in multiple cases during his earlier postings.
The criticism largely emerged online following the government’s decision to assign him one of the state’s most significant administrative departments.
No official statement was immediately issued by the Mizoram Government in response to the online reactions.
Reshuffle follows Chief Minister’s takeover of DP&AR
The administrative reshuffle assumes significance as it comes barely a week after Chief Minister Lalduhoma assumed direct control of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms from Home Minister K. Sapdanga.
The DP&AR department is considered one of the most influential wings of the state administration as it deals with personnel policies, cadre management, transfers, appointments and administrative reforms across government departments.
The latest reshuffle is expected to streamline administrative functioning while aligning key departments under the government’s evolving governance priorities.
With the transfer of K. Lalthawmmawia and the assignment of additional responsibilities to Udit Prakash Rai, the Mizoram Government has undertaken one of its notable senior-level bureaucratic changes in recent weeks.
