New Delhi (31.12.2023): The Centre’s decision to repatriate one of its finest union secretaries Sudhansh Pant (IAS: 1991: RJ) to cadre state of Rajasthan came as another surprise. The abrupt repatriation is seen as the Centre has decided to place the Union Health Secretary Pant as the successor of Usha Sharma’s (IAS: 1985: RJ); the incumbent Chief Secretary retiring today.
Pant, eighth on the order of seniority among IAS officers of the Rajasthan cadre, will supersede six officers to become the chief secretary namely; Subodh Agarwal, V. Srinivas, Subhra Singh, Rajeshwar Singh, Rohit Kumar Singh and Sanjay Malhotra; though RK Singh and Sanjay Malhora were presumed to continue at Centre.
Responding to the development key sources say that the New Delhi establishment’s uniquely devised model of placing its envoy in the states may shortly manifest in Rajasthan as well. The civil administration in Uttar Pradesh has been under Centre’s shadow with Durga Shanker Mishra as its Chief Secretary since January 2021 and will continue toll 30.06.2024; all aiming at 2024 LS Polls.
The repatriation of Pant assumes significance in view of his third successive shift/appointment in a short span of twelve month. First he was brought to Centre in October 2022 as OSD in the Ministry of Shipping and was made Secretary Shipping w.e.f. 01.02.2023. Six months later the Centre shifted him to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (w.e.f. 01.08.2023); a key ministry ahead of LS Polls 2024 from Centre’s perspective.
Further, with the ruling party stalwart Amit Shah’s claim, enthused with Assembly elections 2023, to clinch all twenty five Lok Sabha seats in 2024 the Centre may have some plans to accomplish the challenging target ahead. Having testified Pant during his two successive yet short stint as Union Secretary the Centre would have identified his traits that may help it clinch the challenging task ahead.
Pant’s repatriation is presumed to be in sync with aforesaid plan also. Officers across services and batches are still inquisitive as what awakens the Centre to send Pant back to the state when there was no dearth of competent officers in the state.
It may be underlined that Pant, in addition to competence and strong credentials as a civil servant, is recognised as the epitome of humility which would have made him Centre’s foremost choice for the coveted position in state that may help clinch the tough target through pro-people administration instead of a resource and power-centric administration in Rajasthan.
(By Rakesh Ranjan)
