New Delhi: In a key interim administrative move, the Government of India has assigned additional responsibility of the Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, to Nivedita Shukla Verma (IAS:1991:UP). She currently serves as the Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued the official order on Friday, July 11, specifying that Ms. Verma will handle the additional charge from July 12 to August 3, 2025, during the leave period of the regular Health Secretary, Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava (IAS:1993:AGMUT).
A Senior Bureaucrat with Diverse Administrative Experience
Ms. Verma, a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, brings extensive experience in policy implementation and governance, having held a wide array of senior roles in both the state and central governments. Her temporary stewardship of the Health Ministry comes at a time when the department is navigating key public health initiatives and institutional reforms.
This brief handover ensures continuity of leadership in one of India’s most crucial ministries, especially amid evolving healthcare demands and post-pandemic policy strengthening.
Gaurav Dwivedi Holding Additional Charges in Prasar Bharati
Meanwhile, Gaurav Dwivedi, a 1995 batch IAS Officer of the Chhattisgarh Cadre and the CEO of Prasar Bharati, continues to shoulder additional responsibilities as Member (Personnel) and Member (Finance). Both posts have remained vacant for several months, underscoring a broader challenge of unfilled high-level positions in public broadcasting administration.
