Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has carried out a minor bureaucratic reshuffle, transferring and assigning new responsibilities to four Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers. The changes primarily affect the departments of disaster management, health, rural development and drinking water.
The most significant appointment in the reshuffle is that of Vinod Kumar Suman, who has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Uttarakhand Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Project (U-PREPARE) as its Project Director.
Vinod Kumar Suman Gets Key Disaster Management Role
Vinod Kumar Suman, a 2007-batch IAS officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, has been appointed as Project Director, Uttarakhand Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Project (U-PREPARE).
He will continue to hold his existing responsibilities as:
- Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department
- Secretary, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)
The appointment further strengthens his role in the state’s disaster preparedness and resilience framework, particularly important for a Himalayan state that frequently faces challenges such as landslides, flash floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Saurabh Gaharwar Shifted to Health Department
Saurabh Gaharwar (IAS: 2016 batch), who was serving as Additional Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department, has been transferred and posted as:
- Additional Secretary, Medical Health and Family Welfare Department
The move places him in a key department responsible for healthcare administration and implementation of public health programmes across the state.
Jharna Kamthan Gets Additional Responsibilities
Sushree Jharna Kamthan (IAS: 2016 batch), currently serving as:
- Additional Secretary, Rural Development Department
- Project Director, Uttarakhand Gramya Vikas Samiti – REAP (UGVS-REAP)
has been assigned additional responsibilities.
She will now also serve as:
- Additional Secretary, Drinking Water Department
- Director, Swajal
The additional charge expands her role in rural infrastructure and drinking water management, sectors that remain critical to Uttarakhand’s development agenda.
Prakash Chandra Posted to Disaster Management Department
Prakash Chandra (IAS: 2017 batch) has been appointed as:
- Additional Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department
He will continue to hold his existing responsibilities as:
- Additional Secretary, Social Welfare Department
- Managing Director, Multipurpose Finance and Development Corporation
- Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Uttarakhand
The assignment adds disaster management to his growing administrative portfolio.
Focus on Disaster Preparedness and Governance
The latest reshuffle indicates the Uttarakhand government’s continued emphasis on strengthening disaster management and resilience mechanisms. With the state being particularly vulnerable to natural calamities, the appointment of experienced officers in key disaster-related positions is expected to enhance preparedness, coordination and response capabilities.
The transfers also reflect efforts to streamline administrative functioning across important departments including health, rural development, drinking water and social welfare.
