https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Uttarakhand Bureaucracy in Limbo: Key Departments Without Leadership as File Backlogs Mount

As files continue to stagnate and inter-departmental coordination suffers, all eyes are on the state government to expedite the long-overdue division of departments.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Dehradun: For the first time in Uttarakhand’s bureaucratic history, the state administration has gone over a month without reallocating critical departments left vacant after the retirement of Chief Secretary Radha Raturi and the promotion of Anand Vardhan to the top post. The resulting vacuum is beginning to stall governance, delay policy execution, and clog decision-making across multiple departments.

Radha Raturi, whose extended tenure ended on March 31, 2025, held several significant roles in addition to being Chief Secretary—including Chairperson of the Energy Corporation, Investment Commissioner, and Local Commissioner. None of these high-stakes positions have been reassigned yet, leaving them on what officials describe as “auto-pilot mode.” Key decisions requiring the chairman’s sign-off are now on hold, and files are reportedly piling up across departments. Even Energy Corporation board meetings are being led by the Energy Secretary, but decisions from these meetings await final approval by an officially appointed chairman.

Meanwhile, Anand Vardhan, before his elevation to Chief Secretary, was already handling an extensive portfolio. He continues to retain key departments such as Personnel, Vigilance, Finance, Jalagam (Water Resources), Agriculture Production, and more. Despite his promotion, new secretaries or principal secretaries have not been appointed for these departments either. Crucial roles like Chief Project Director of Jalagam and Chairman of the Revenue Council remain under Vardhan’s oversight, stretching the top bureaucrat thin and slowing departmental operations.

Sources within the secretariat confirm that even minor files in the Personnel Department are still reaching Anand Vardhan’s table, indicating a lack of effective delegation. For instance, Special Secretary Parag Madhukar Dhakate, currently posted in the Water Resources Department, has been unable to handle files at the government level due to the absence of clearly demarcated responsibilities.

Observers point out that while transitional delays are common, the current makeshift arrangement is starting to paralyze administrative efficiency. “The state cannot afford to keep vital departments leaderless. Governance is suffering, and the bureaucracy is stretched,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity.

As files continue to stagnate and inter-departmental coordination suffers, all eyes are on the state government to expedite the long-overdue division of departments. Until then, the administrative machinery in Uttarakhand will likely continue running in slow motion.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Indian Army Enhances Warfighting Readiness with Simulated Battlefield Tech Trials
Indian Army Conducts Trials of Next-Gen Indigenous Defence Technologies Under Simulated Combat Conditions
PM Modi
MP: PM Modi Pays Tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar; Inaugurates Indore Metro, Datia & Satna Airports; Emphasizes Women Empowerment
IAS Officer IPS Officer
IAS Vishal Gupta Appointed Private Secy to Union Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, IPS Dinesh Kumar P Cleared For Central Deputation
IFS Officer CP Marak
Retired IFS Officer CP Marak Sworn In as Chairperson of Meghalaya Lokayukta - Know More About Him
IAS Manivannan P
Karnataka: IAS Manivannan P. Appointed BDA Commissioner with Concurrent Charge Amidst Crucial Infrastructure Push
RVNL
RVNL & Texmaco Join Hands to Modernise Indian Railways Infrastructure, Boost Atmanirbhar Manufacturing
Asheesh-PandayKalyan-Kumar
FSIB Recommends Asheesh Pandey for Union Bank, Kalyan Kumar for Central Bank of India Top Roles - Know More
Karnataka
Karnataka: Govt Transfers Top Police Officers Amid Rising Communal Tensions, Cites Local Sentiments - Home Minister
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
From Gwalior to the Top 20: What Drove Finance Pro Madhav Agarwal to Crack UPSC CSE 2024 with AIR 16? | Exclusive
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-28 at 18.56
Didn’t Clear UPSC But Found Something Greater: A Story That Will Change How You See Success
She left a top finance job for UPSC, did not clear but built a thriving wellness brand instead. Veda's...
Social Media
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
UPSC Latest IAS IPS IFS
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Tomorrow: ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Last-Minute Motivation for Aspirants
His five-post thread offers encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support - not just for those...
Anupam Sharma IFS
#BoycottTurkey: IFS Officer Anupam Sharma Sparks Nationalist Call to Action
IFS Sharma urged citizens to avoid Turkish agricultural imports
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Indian Army Enhances Warfighting Readiness with Simulated Battlefield Tech Trials
Indian Army Conducts Trials of Next-Gen Indigenous Defence Technologies Under Simulated Combat Conditions
PM Modi
MP: PM Modi Pays Tribute to Ahilyabai Holkar; Inaugurates Indore Metro, Datia & Satna Airports; Emphasizes Women Empowerment
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT