In a significant administrative overhaul, the Haryana government has announced key postings for two senior IAS officers, affecting the leadership of Gurugram and Faridabad. The orders, issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on November 30, have taken immediate effect, aiming to streamline governance in these crucial districts.
New Faces for Key Positions
Ayush Sinha, a 2018-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner of Faridabad. He was previously serving as the Commissioner of the Manesar Municipal Corporation. He replaces Vikram Singh Yadav (2014 batch), who has been transferred to become the Managing Director of the southern Haryana discom, Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (DHBVN). This post fell vacant after the retirement of the incumbent MD, Ashok Garg, on November 28.
Concurrently, senior IAS officer Phool Chand Meena (2004 batch) has been given the additional charge of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA). Meena is currently the Commissioner and Secretary to the Government for the Human Resources and General Administration departments and will now head the GMDA alongside his existing responsibilities.
GMDA's Leadership Vacancy Filled
The CEO position at the GMDA had been vacant since October 28. This vacancy persisted after two earlier designates—J Ganesan and Gurgaon Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya—did not assume charge due to procedural issues. Sources indicated that the order assigning Dahiya (2013 batch) the dual role was issued by Additional Chief Secretary Chanchal Yadav, bypassing the standard protocol which requires such orders to be issued at the level of the Chief Secretary.
Notably, this is not Phool Chand Meena's first stint at the GMDA helm; he previously served as its CEO between April 2023 and January 2024. His return is expected to bring experienced leadership to the authority tasked with Gurugram's planned development.
Other Postings and Broader Impact
Filling the vacancy left by Ayush Sinha in Manesar, the government has posted 2020-batch IAS officer Pradeep Singh as the new Commissioner of the Manesar civic body. Prior to this, Pradeep Singh was the Additional Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Citizen Resources Information Officer in Nuh, also holding additional charges as CEO of the Zila Parishad and the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in Nuh.
The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) plays a pivotal role in shaping the city's future. Established to oversee planned development, its mandate includes urban planning, infrastructure development, and managing civic amenities along major roads. Its core focus areas are:
- Improving water supply systems.
- Strengthening the master road network.
- Enhancing public transport to support the city's rapid growth.
Addressing Gurugram's persistent civic challenges, such as monsoon waterlogging and road maintenance, requires seamless coordination between the GMDA and the Municipal Corporation. The appointment of a full-time CEO is seen as a critical step towards improving this synergy and driving infrastructural projects forward.
