Jaipur: A major administrative reshuffle appears imminent in Rajasthan following a crucial meeting between newly appointed Chief Secretary V. Srinivas and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma. The meeting, held yesterday, has intensified discussions within the bureaucratic circles about the long-pending transfer of senior IAS officers.
Mr. Srinivas, a 1989-batch IAS officer, officially took charge as the new Chief Secretary on 17 November. Since then, expectations for a restructured administrative setup have grown stronger, especially with several key positions awaiting clarity.
Five Months Without Senior-Level Transfers
On June 22, the state government released a transfer list of 62 IAS officers, signaling a significant reshuffle. However, transfers at the senior level—Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Principal Secretary, and Secretary—have remained stalled for nearly five months. This delay has contributed to operational challenges across multiple departments.
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Over 100 Senior Officials Holding Additional Charge
The administrative machinery has been stretched thin over the past ten months. As many as 100 senior officers across various services are currently holding additional responsibilities:
- 51 IAS officers
- 5 IPS officers
- 5 IFS officers
- 38 RAS officers
Many of these officers have been handling three to four departments simultaneously, affecting departmental efficiency and slowing public service delivery.
Need to Improve Coordination and Speed Up Public Work
Sources suggest that the removal of additional charges is now a top priority to improve coordination between the Chief Secretary’s Office (CSO) and the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). Streamlining responsibilities is expected to accelerate the disposal of pending files and enhance governance responsiveness.
Fresh IAS Transfer List Expected Soon
According to senior officials, a new IAS transfer list may be released within a week. The list is likely to include senior officers whose postings have been under consideration for months.
Notably, a detailed transfer list involving 48 IAS officers had already been prepared earlier this year. The list was expected to be released in July, but internal disagreements and factional pressures prevented its implementation. Only junior-level postings were cleared, leaving senior reshuffles unresolved.
Bureaucracy on Alert as CS Plans His New Team
With the new Chief Secretary now actively reviewing the administrative structure, insiders believe that a comprehensive reshuffle is inevitable. Departments currently led by senior IAS officers could see major changes as Mr. Srinivas forms his core team in coordination with the Chief Minister.
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