Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Shashi Prakash Goyal, an IAS officer of 1989 batch, who has been on leave for nearly a month due to a health emergency, is likely to resume office on September 22, coinciding with the first day of Sharadiya Navratri.
Sources close to the administration indicate that Mr Goyal, who underwent heart surgery in Delhi, may return with a changed outlook and reduced responsibilities.
Health Crisis and Sudden Departure Raised Eyebrows
IAS Goyal reportedly began experiencing chest pain on October 16 and promptly left for Delhi on October 17 for medical treatment. It was only on October 19 that media outlets confirmed he had gone on extended leave, triggering speculation about the reasons behind his sudden absence.
Reliable sources now confirm that IAS Goyal underwent successful heart surgery in Delhi. He has since returned to Lucknow and is currently in recovery. In a sign of improving health, he was recently seen taking a morning walk in a prominent park in the city.
Administrative Reshuffle During Goyal’s Absence
In Mr Goyal’s absence, the Yogi Adityanath-led government moved swiftly to prevent any vacuum at the top. Agriculture Production Commissioner Deepak Kumar was given charge of the Chief Secretary’s responsibilities, along with a number of high-level posts previously held by Mr Goyal.
As part of a broader bureaucratic reshuffle, 14 IAS officers were transferred on Thursday. The most significant among them was Mr Goyal himself, who was relieved from several key posts, including:
- Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner
- Chairman, PICUP
- Chief Executive Officer, UPDA
- CEO, UPSHA
- Additional Chief Secretary, Coordination Department
- Project Director, UPDASP
Deepak Kumar Takes Over Key Portfolios
Deepak Kumar, a senior and trusted bureaucrat, has now assumed additional charge of these crucial portfolios. He has also been relieved from his earlier role as Additional Chief Secretary, Basic and Secondary Education Department to accommodate his expanded responsibilities.
The Yogi government’s decision to transfer all of Mr Goyal’s portfolios to Kumar is being viewed as a precautionary measure in light of Mr Goyal’s health, although it has sparked political and bureaucratic speculation.
SP Goyal May Return on September 22 – But with Limited Charge
Despite these major changes, SP Goyal remains the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. According to insiders, he is expected to rejoin on September 22, but without the additional portfolios he previously held. This move may be intended to allow him to ease back into work while continuing his recovery.
Mood Shift Expected on Return
Sources suggest that Mr Goyal’s recent health crisis has led to a change in his overall approach. Insiders speak of a more measured, possibly more cautious Goyal returning to the role – one who may focus on core administrative duties while leaving the heavy-load portfolios to his deputies.
With the first day of Navratri seen as an auspicious date, his return on September 22 is symbolically and culturally significant – especially in a politically sensitive state like Uttar Pradesh.
