IAS Officer Sanjeev Khirwar Takes Helm as MCD Commissioner
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has appointed Sanjeev Khirwar, a 1994-batch AGMUT cadre Indian Administrative Service officer, as the new Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) commissioner. This significant administrative change takes effect immediately, as confirmed through an official order issued by the Ministry on Wednesday. The notification has been formally communicated to the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, marking a pivotal leadership transition for the capital's civic body.
Timing and Responsibilities of the New Commissioner
Khirwar assumes this critical role at a moment when the MCD is navigating substantial administrative and financial hurdles. The corporation is currently in the process of preparing its budget, which is slated to be presented before the Municipal Corporation House later this month. As commissioner, Khirwar will play a central role in overseeing daily operations, implementing key policies, and coordinating across various departments to address these challenges effectively.
Background and Career of Sanjeev Khirwar
Sanjeev Khirwar is an experienced bureaucrat from the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories cadre. He first gained widespread public attention in 2022 due to the Thyagraj Stadium dog-walking controversy. At that time, while serving as Delhi's Principal Secretary (Revenue), he was accused of clearing the stadium complex early in the evening to accommodate walks with his dog, allegedly disrupting training schedules for athletes and coaches.
Although Khirwar and stadium administrator Ajit Chaudhary denied these allegations—with Chaudhary stating official training hours ended at 7 PM—athletes contended they typically trained until 8:30 PM and were forced to conclude early. Following this incident, Khirwar was transferred to Ladakh, where he served as Principal Secretary for Health and Medical Education.
His career includes notable stints such as serving as private secretary to the Union Minister for Women and Child Development between 2009 and 2014. The controversy also impacted his wife, Rinku Dugga, a fellow 1994-batch IAS officer, who was transferred to Arunachal Pradesh and later compulsorily retired by the Union Home Ministry in September 2023.
Implications for Delhi's Civic Governance
This appointment places Khirwar at the forefront of managing one of India's largest municipal corporations, tasked with addressing urban infrastructure, sanitation, and financial sustainability. His experience in revenue administration and health sectors, coupled with his recent tenure in Ladakh, may influence his approach to tackling MCD's pressing issues. The move underscores the central government's direct involvement in Delhi's administrative appointments, reflecting ongoing dynamics in the capital's governance structure.
