Chandigarh Administration Implements Major Portfolio Reshuffle
In a significant administrative overhaul, the Chandigarh administration on Monday reallocated key portfolios across various departments, assigning additional responsibilities to several officers. This move follows the induction of two new Provincial Civil Service (PCS) officers into the system.
Approval and Rationale Behind the Changes
The Department of Personnel issued the transfer and posting orders with the approval of the Union Territory administrator. Officials have described this exercise as a routine administrative measure aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring a better distribution of workload among officers. However, insiders have indicated that some of the changes were influenced by recent developments, including the bank fixed deposit scam and concerns over long tenures exceeding three years in certain posts.
Key Appointments and Portfolio Assignments
One of the most notable changes involves a change of guard at CREST, an organization impacted by the FD scam. Nitish Singla has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of CREST and Director of Science and Technology, while continuing to serve as Director of School Education.
According to the notification issued by Chief Secretary Rajesh Prasad, which took immediate effect, several officers have received new or expanded roles:
- Akhil Kumar (DANICS) has been given multiple important portfolios, including Additional Secretary (Establishment), Additional Secretary (House Allotment Committee), Director (Food & Supplies and Consumer Affairs), and Legal Metrology.
- Amit Kumar (DANICS) has been assigned as Additional Secretary (Coordination), with responsibilities in Home/Protocol, Environment & Forests, Personnel, and Technical Education.
Among Haryana Civil Service (HCS) officers:
- Pradhuman Singh has been entrusted with the charges of Additional Excise & Taxation Commissioner-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Director (Industries), and Secretary of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). He has been relieved of his previous charge as Director of Transport and Registration and Licensing Authority.
- Radhika Singh has been given the responsibility of Director (Higher Education), Director (Social Welfare), and Managing Director of the Chandigarh SC, BC & Minorities Financial & Development Corporation, among other roles.
- Dr. Inder Jeet has been retained as Joint Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation and Additional Chief Executive Officer of Chandigarh Smart City Limited.
New Responsibilities for PCS Officers
PCS officers have also received significant responsibilities in this reshuffle:
- Sorabh Kumar Arora has been appointed as Director (Sports), Joint Secretary (Excise & Taxation), and Director (AYUSH), along with other charges.
- The two newly joined PCS officers have been allocated crucial portfolios: Avikesh Gupta has been appointed as Registering & Licensing Authority, Director (Transport)-cum-Divisional Manager (CTU), and given responsibilities related to urban planning and housing. Balbir Raj Singh has been posted as Joint IG (Prisons), Superintendent (Model Jail), and Joint Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation.
Additional Postings and Continuations
Other notable assignments include:
- Palika Arora has been assigned the charge of Director (Technical Education) and Controller-cum-Joint Secretary (Printing & Stationery), relieving her of the charge of Social Welfare Director.
- Paviter Singh has been posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (East) and Assistant Estate Officer.
- Naveen (DANICS) will handle Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Tourism, and has been appointed as Chief General Manager of CITCO.
- Khushpreet Kaur (DANICS) retains the charge of Assistant Estate Officer-II and SDM (Central).
- Rajiv Tewari, DC (F&A), continues to hold the post of Director (Public Relations) and Member Secretary of the Chandigarh Right to Service Commission. He has been relieved of the charge of Assistant Estate Officer.
This comprehensive reshuffle is expected to streamline administrative functions and address ongoing challenges within the Chandigarh administration, marking a pivotal step in governance restructuring.
