New Delhi: The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has issued fresh orders assigning additional charges of Secretary-level posts to two senior IAS officers – Vivek Aggarwal and Sanjeev Chopra – during the temporary absence of the respective incumbents.
Vivek Aggarwal to Oversee Ministry of Tourism
Mr Aggarwal (IAS:1994:MP), currently serving as Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, has been entrusted with additional charge of Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.
As per the DoPT order issued on August 8, Mr Aggarwal will hold this additional responsibility from August 11 to September 4, 2025, during the leave period of the regular Secretary, Ms V Vidyavathi (IAS:1991:KN).
This temporary arrangement ensures continuity in the operations of the Ministry of Tourism, especially during a period of active domestic and international tourism campaigns being run in tandem with cultural initiatives.
Sanjeev Chopra Gets Addl Charge of Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Similarly, Mr Chopra (IAS:1990:OR), who is serving as Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, has been assigned additional charge of Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
According to the same DoPT communication, Mr Chopra will serve in this capacity from August 9 to August 21, 2025, while the incumbent, AP Das Joshi (IAS:1994:AM), proceeds on leave.
This move brings administrative continuity to two closely linked departments that jointly address India’s food ecosystem – from grain procurement and public distribution to value-added food processing and supply chain development.
Strategic Continuity in Governance
These temporary appointments are part of routine government functioning to ensure seamless policy execution and administrative oversight, particularly in ministries that are interdependent or seasonally active.
Both Aggarwal and Chopra are seasoned bureaucrats known for their domain expertise, ensuring that the ministries will continue functioning smoothly during the brief absence of their regular heads.
