New Delhi (27.12.2023): Another secretary level post has fallen vacant following the repatriation of V K Singh (IAS: 1990: PB), Union Secretary, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, to his parent cadre (Punjab). Singh is likely to be appointed as Special Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The post of Special CS has been lying vacant since July, 2023 after the retirement of A Venu Prasad as Additional CS to the CM.
Singh is three years senior to incumbent Chief Secretary Anurag Verma (IAS: 1993: PB). However, despite the state grappling with a shortage of experienced hands in the administration, officers like D K Tiwari (IAS: 1994: PB) and Neelkanth Avadh (IAS: 1999: PB) have not been given any work while several others are overburdened.
For instance, Additional Chief Secretary K A P Sinha (IAS: 1992: PB) has three important departments. Similar is the case with Tejveer Singh. Anurag Verma was appointed as Chief Secretary of the state in June this year. He superseded 10 IAS officers including V K Singh. Out of those 10 IAS officers, four, including V K Singh, were on central deputation, and two had already been chief secretaries.
Among seniors who are on central deputation are Vini Mahajan (IAS: 1987: PB), who will retire on October 31, 2024; Anjali Bhawra (IAS: 1988 PB), who is set to be superannuated on June 30, 2024; V K Singh (IAS: 1990: PB); and Seema Jain (IAS: 1991: PB). Anurag Agarwal (IAS: 1990: PB) had opted for Central deputation in November this year.
Others have been posted in Punjab including Anirudh Tewari (IAS: 1990: PB), Sarvjit Singh (IAS: 1992: PB), Raji P Shrivastava (IAS: 1992: PB) and K A P Sinha (IAS:1992: PB).
