Bhopal: Retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Ajatshatru Shrivastava has been appointed as a Consultant at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis (AIGGPA), Bhopal. Although formally attached to the institute, Shrivastava will play a key role in overseeing the political and administrative work of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, sources said.
Age Norms Prevent Direct OSD Appointment
Shrivastava’s appointment comes amid restrictions related to age norms for contractual positions in the state government. While he was considered for the role of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, existing rules stipulate that officers appointed to the OSD post on a contractual basis must be below 65 years of age.
Shrivastava, who retired in 2018, is currently over 67 years old, making him ineligible for a direct OSD appointment. To navigate this limitation, the government appointed him as a Consultant at AIGGPA, allowing him to continue contributing to governance and political coordination without violating service rules.
Will Look After CM Mohan Yadav’s Political Affairs
Despite his formal role at the institute, Shrivastava will effectively handle and coordinate Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s political work, a responsibility previously managed by former IAS officer Mahesh Choudhary. Choudhary has now been appointed as the Administrative Member of the Private Universities Regulatory Commission, necessitating a change in responsibilities.
With this transition, Mr Shrivastava steps into a crucial behind-the-scenes role, ensuring continuity in political coordination and advisory functions for the Chief Minister.
Long Association with Madhya Pradesh Administration
Ajatshatru Shrivastava has had a long and influential career in Madhya Pradesh’s administrative setup. He previously served as:
- Collector of Ujjain,
- Commissioner of Bhopal, and
- Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
During Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s tenure, Shrivastava was widely regarded as one of the trusted officers close to the former CM, playing an important role in governance and political coordination.
Familiarity with CM Mohan Yadav
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is well acquainted with Shrivastava, dating back to the latter’s tenure as Ujjain Collector, where Yadav was actively involved in regional politics. Officials indicate that this prior association and Shrivastava’s administrative experience played a key role in the decision to entrust him with overseeing the Chief Minister’s political work.
Shrivastava is considered close to Yadav as well, making him a natural choice for the role following Mahesh Choudhary’s new appointment.
Strategic Use of Institutional Role
By appointing Shrivastava as a consultant at AIGGPA, the government has strategically ensured that his experience and institutional knowledge continue to be utilised, while remaining within the framework of existing service rules.
The move highlights the state government’s approach of leveraging retired senior officers for advisory and coordination roles, especially in areas related to governance, policy analysis, and political management.
About Ajatshatru Shrivastava
Mr Shrivastava is a retired IAS officer from the 1996 batch of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, who rose to the rank through promotion from the state civil services. During his distinguished career, he notably served as the Divisional Commissioner of Bhopal from August 26, 2016, to May 31, 2018, a role in which he also held the additional charge of Commissioner for the Narmadapuram division. Before his tenure as Commissioner, he contributed significantly to the state’s cultural and logistical sectors as the Commissioner-cum-Director of State Archaeology and as the Managing Director of the State Warehouse Corporation. He also served in key administrative capacities such as the Member Secretary for the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and as the Managing Director of the MP State Agricultural Marketing Board. Further details on his official tenures and past responsibilities can be verified through the Bhopal Division’s official profile page
