New Delhi (14.11.2025): The NaMo administration on Friday assigned additional responsibilities to two Union Secretaries, ensuring continuity, as the primary incumbents proceed on leave.
In the first move, Nikunja Bihari Dhal (IAS: 1993: OD), currently serving as the Secretary for the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, has been assigned the additional charge of Secretary of the Department of Justice as Niraj Verma (IAS: 1994: AM), who is on leave from November 17 to November 30, 2025.
Similarly, Punya Salila Srivastava (IAS: 1993: AGMUT), the Union Health Secretary, has been asked to assume the additional charge of Secretary, Ministry of Ayush. She will hold this responsibility during the absence of Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha from November 15 to November 23, 2025.
These temporary arrangements follow a recent significant bureaucratic realignment. Only last month, Amit Yadav (IAS: 1991: UT), the Secretary for Social Justice, was given the additional charge of the Department of Persons with Disability. This was necessitated by the repatriation of Rajesh Aggarwal (IAS: 1989: MH), who is widely tipped for a potentially high-profile appointment as the next Chief Secretary of Maharashtra next month.
