Lucknow: The future of senior IAS officer Aunjaneya Kumar Singh (IAS: 2005: Sikkim) is once again the subject of intense speculation in bureaucratic circles after his deputation to Uttar Pradesh ended.
Mr Singh, who was serving as Moradabad Divisional Commissioner, handed over charge to the Moradabad District Magistrate and proceeded on leave on August 14 after another extension was not granted before the expiry of his deputation.
However, his exit from the post may not necessarily mean the end of his long association with Uttar Pradesh.
According to sources, the Uttar Pradesh government has already sent a proposal to the Centre seeking another extension for the officer. If approved, it would be the eighth relaxation/extension granted during his deputation to the state.
The possibility has triggered renewed questions over why the Centre and Uttar Pradesh governments have repeatedly allowed the 2005-batch IAS officer to remain in the state far beyond the normal deputation period.
Will Aunjaneya Kumar Singh Get an Eighth Extension?
There is currently no official confirmation that Singh will receive another extension. However, bureaucratic circles are closely watching the Centre’s decision.
The officer’s latest situation is similar to what happened last year. At that time too, his extension was not granted before the end of his tenure. He handed over charge and proceeded on leave, only to subsequently continue in Uttar Pradesh after the deputation issue was resolved.
Sources believe a similar sequence could unfold this time as well.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s reported request for another extension has therefore kept open the possibility of Singh returning to an important administrative assignment in the state.
If he is retained, he could potentially be posted in another politically and administratively sensitive division rather than returning to Moradabad, where he has already spent several years.
Why Is the Yogi Government Keen to Retain Him?
Several political and administrative factors are being cited for the Uttar Pradesh government’s reported interest in retaining Singh.
Singh’s tenure in Rampur and Moradabad has been particularly significant because of the region’s political sensitivity and the prolonged administrative and legal action against Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan and matters linked to his Jauhar University.
While serving as Rampur District Magistrate, Singh was associated with strict administrative and legal action against Khan and his associates. His tenure subsequently saw him play a prominent role in the administration of the politically sensitive Moradabad division.
Senior journalist Rajendra Kumar has pointed to Singh’s role during his Rampur tenure, particularly his handling of cases involving Azam Khan and his family, as one of the reasons his administrative role has been considered important for the BJP government.
The officer’s ability to handle politically sensitive situations and maintain administrative control is also being cited as a factor behind the government’s reported preference for retaining him.
Election Year Makes His Experience Valuable
Another factor being discussed is the political significance of western Uttar Pradesh.
With an election year approaching, the government is expected to attach greater importance to experienced officers who are familiar with the region’s law-and-order situation, communal sensitivities and political dynamics.
Senior journalist Ratanmani Lal has reportedly described Singh’s administrative grip and working style as factors that have impressed the government.
From the government’s perspective, replacing an officer with deep knowledge of a sensitive region with someone unfamiliar with the local administrative environment could involve additional risks.
Singh could therefore potentially be shifted to another important division, including a politically significant region such as Azamgarh, if his deputation is extended.
Azam Khan Cases Also a Factor
Another consideration being discussed is the status of several legal proceedings involving Azam Khan and his associates.
Cases connected with land attachment, recovery, Jauhar University and other matters are at different stages of legal proceedings.
Those arguing in favour of Singh’s continuation believe that changing an officer familiar with the background of these cases could potentially affect administrative coordination and prosecution-related processes.
However, these remain considerations being discussed in bureaucratic and political circles rather than officially stated reasons for the government’s reported request.
Singh Has Already Spent Around 11 Years in UP
One of the biggest questions surrounding Singh’s possible continuation is the unusually long duration of his stay in Uttar Pradesh.
A 2005-batch IAS officer of the Sikkim cadre, Singh has already spent around 11 years in Uttar Pradesh on deputation.
His long tenure is particularly notable because he is originally from Mau district in Uttar Pradesh, meaning his continued posting in the state required relaxation of the normal rules governing deputation of All India Service officers.
The Centre has reportedly relaxed the applicable provisions multiple times to facilitate his continuation in UP.
Two Rules Were Relaxed for His UP Deputation
The rules governing All India Service officers generally place restrictions on deputation outside their cadre.
The first issue concerns an officer’s home state. Normally, an IAS or IPS officer cannot simply be sent on deputation to the state from which they originate.
The second concerns the maximum period of inter-cadre deputation. An IAS officer’s deputation to another state is ordinarily subject to a prescribed time limit, including extensions permitted under the applicable rules.
Singh’s case has gone well beyond that normal period, with his total stay in Uttar Pradesh reaching around 11 years.
Under Rule 3, the competent authority can relax provisions in the public interest or in extraordinary circumstances.
In Singh’s case, the Centre has reportedly exercised this flexibility seven times.
An eighth relaxation would therefore once again raise questions about the purpose and limits of the cadre system.
Sikkim Cadre Also Has a Claim on the Officer
There is another side to the issue.
The Sikkim IAS cadre is relatively small, and the prolonged absence of a senior 2005-batch IAS officer can have an impact on the parent state’s administrative strength.
If the Centre decides not to approve another extension, Singh could be directed to return to Sikkim.
The interests of smaller cadres and the availability of experienced officers for their own administration could therefore become an important consideration while the Centre examines the Uttar Pradesh proposal.
Sources have indicated that the Sikkim government has issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Singh’s continuation in Uttar Pradesh, which could make the extension proposal easier to consider.
However, the final decision rests with the competent authorities at the Centre.
Can the Centre Reject the Extension Proposal?
Yes. The Uttar Pradesh government’s proposal does not automatically guarantee another extension.
The Centre can reject the request after considering factors including the officer’s prolonged absence from his parent cadre, the needs of the Sikkim cadre and the limits of repeated relaxation under the deputation framework.
Experts have also cautioned that repeated relaxation of deputation provisions for an individual officer could potentially weaken the broader cadre-management system if such exceptions become routine.
The Centre will therefore have to balance the Uttar Pradesh government’s administrative requirements against the needs of the officer’s parent cadre.
Could Aunjaneya Kumar Singh Move to Delhi Instead?
If his Uttar Pradesh deputation is not extended, another possibility is a move to Delhi through the Sikkim government.
Singh is eligible for consideration for a Joint Secretary-level position at the Centre, given his 2005 batch.
However, because he has been serving outside his parent cadre, the normal rules regarding cooling-off and central deputation would become relevant.
According to sources, one possibility being explored is his appointment as Resident Commissioner at Sikkim House in New Delhi.
Such an appointment would allow Singh to remain in Delhi while technically returning to the administrative framework of his parent state.
After completing the required cooling-off period, he could potentially seek consideration for central deputation through the regular empanelment process.
What Is the Central Deputation Route?
For an officer of Singh’s seniority, central deputation generally involves a formal process of empanelment and selection.
An officer’s suitability is assessed before being included in the relevant empanelment list. Once empanelled, an officer can be considered for suitable positions in Union government ministries and departments when vacancies arise.
A direct move to the Centre without following the normal process would require another relaxation under the applicable provisions.
That would effectively mean invoking the public interest or extraordinary circumstances provision yet again.
How Did Anjaneya Singh Get Deputed to UP?
Singh’s deputation to Uttar Pradesh has also attracted attention because of his connection with the state.
There are provisions under which an All India Service officer can be considered for inter-cadre deputation to a state, including circumstances involving marriage to an officer of another cadre or certain extreme personal or family hardships.
The first provision is reportedly not applicable in Singh’s case.
It has not been publicly disclosed whether his original deputation to Uttar Pradesh was approved under the second category of circumstances.
In February 2015, then Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh recommended Anjaneya Singh’s deputation to Uttar Pradesh. Despite the fact that the Samajwadi Party government was in power in the state at the time, then Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav approved the recommendation.
A Controversial Yet Powerful Administrative Career in UP
Singh’s career in Uttar Pradesh has been marked by his postings in some of the state’s most politically sensitive areas.
His tenure as Rampur DM brought him into the spotlight because of the administrative action against Azam Khan and matters related to Jauhar University.
He subsequently spent around five-and-a-half years as Moradabad Divisional Commissioner, giving him extensive familiarity with one of western Uttar Pradesh’s most sensitive administrative regions.
His supporters within the government view this experience as an asset, particularly during periods of heightened political and law-and-order sensitivity.
Critics, however, have raised questions about the repeated relaxation of cadre rules and whether such prolonged deputation is consistent with the spirit of the All India Services cadre system.
What Happens Next?
For now, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh has handed over the Moradabad Divisional Commissioner charge and proceeded on leave.
The next key development will be the Centre’s decision on the Uttar Pradesh government’s reported proposal for another extension.
If approved, Singh could continue in Uttar Pradesh and potentially receive another strategically important posting.
If rejected, he could return to his Sikkim cadre, pursue an assignment such as Resident Commissioner in Delhi, or eventually seek central deputation through the prescribed process.
The decision will therefore determine not only Singh’s immediate posting but could also become a significant test of how far the government is willing to stretch the rules governing inter-cadre deputation and repeated relaxation for senior IAS officers.
