Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary and 1988 batch senior IAS officer Manoj Kumar Singh has embarked on an official foreign visit to Greece and Dubai, where he will participate in the prestigious Defense Expo, an international platform promoting investment and innovation in the defense sector.
Mr Singh is accompanied by 2002 batch IRSS (Indian Railway Stores Service) officer Amit Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister, and Hari Pratap Shahi, a 1997 batch IAS officer with the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPIDA).
In his absence, the Chairman of the Revenue Council, Anil Kumar, an IAS officer of 1989 batch, has been given the charge of acting Chief Secretary till May 8, according to senior sources in the Appointments and Personnel Department.
Anil Kumar Steps In as Acting Chief Secretary
Anil Kumar is already entrusted with key portfolios, including the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department. His temporary appointment as acting Chief Secretary has sparked discussion within administrative circles, given his extensive experience and past leadership in critical departments.
Pending APC Appointment Raises Concerns
Notably, the post of Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) in Uttar Pradesh remains vacant. Currently, Manoj Kumar Singh continues to hold this role in addition to several other top positions, including:
- Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner (IIDC)
- Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayati Raj
- CEO, Uttar Pradesh Rural Agency (UPRA)
The lack of a permanent appointment to the APC post has reportedly created administrative challenges, particularly in streamlining agricultural policy execution and interdepartmental coordination.
Additional Charge for IAS Abhishek Singh
Meanwhile, Abhishek Singh, a 2012-batch IAS officer, currently serving as Special Secretary in the Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Public Enterprises Department, has been given additional charge as Director (Training), Uttar Pradesh, alongside his existing responsibilities, including Director (Personnel), Public Enterprises Bureau.
These developments come as the Yogi Adityanath government continues to restructure and realign top administrative roles to enhance governance efficiency across departments.
