In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, the Chhattisgarh government has assigned additional responsibilities to five IAS officers, aiming to strengthen administrative efficiency and continuity following the central deputation of three senior officers.
The General Administration Department (GAD) issued official orders outlining the revised roles and expanded portfolios of the officers.
Key Reassignments Across Departments
Dr. Rohit Yadav (IAS, 2002 batch): Currently serving as Secretary, Energy Department, Dr. Yadav will now also hold additional charge as Secretary, Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The dual role is expected to inject renewed momentum into the state’s tourism and cultural development efforts.
Avinash Champawat (IAS, 2003 batch): Already overseeing the General Administration Department (GAD), Revenue, and Disaster Management, Mr. Champawat has been given additional charge of Secretary, Public Grievance Redressal. The move aims to enhance the state’s grievance redressal mechanism and improve citizen outreach.
Ankit Anand (IAS, 2006 batch): Secretary of Housing and Environment, Anand will now also take charge of the Commercial Tax (Registration) Department. This portfolio expansion highlights the government’s focus on streamlining commercial taxation and boosting revenue systems.
Himshikhar Gupta (IAS, 2007 batch): Presently the Home Secretary, Gupta has been assigned the additional charge of the Labor Department. The government expects this integrated leadership to foster better coordination between internal security and labor welfare.
Chandan Kumar (IAS, 2011 batch): In a key appointment, Chandan Kumar has been named the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Naya Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran (NRDA), succeeding Saurabh Kumar who moved to central deputation. Kumar will also retain his current responsibilities and hold additional charge as Special Secretary, Finance Department.
Background: Deputation-Driven Realignment
This reshuffle comes in response to the central deputation of three IAS officers from the state, prompting the need for redistribution of core administrative roles. Among those deputed is Saurabh Kumar (IAS, 2009 batch), the former NRDA CEO. While the names of the other two officers have not been officially disclosed, the reshuffle reflects the state’s adaptive strategy to maintain seamless governance.
The newly assigned responsibilities are aimed at leveraging the officers’ administrative experience to strengthen cross-departmental coordination and ensure uninterrupted delivery of governance objectives.
