Arunachal Pradesh Transfers 6 Senior IAS and IRS Officers; Sonam Chombay Gets Additional Charge as Commissioner (Planning)
The Arunachal Pradesh government has undertaken a major bureaucratic reshuffle involving six senior IAS and IRS officers, reallocating responsibilities across several key departments including planning, education, health, hydropower, mining and rural infrastructure as part of an administrative restructuring exercise aimed at improving governance efficiency and inter-departmental coordination.
The transfer and posting orders were issued by the Department of Personnel on May 9 and approved by Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, a 1991-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer. Officials said the reshuffle is intended to strengthen administrative functioning in strategically important sectors and ensure more effective implementation of government programmes across the state.
The latest changes come at a time when the Arunachal Pradesh government is focusing on accelerating infrastructure development, improving public service delivery and strengthening institutional coordination in sectors such as education, health, planning and energy.
Sonam Chombay Given Additional Charge of Commissioner (Planning)
One of the most significant decisions in the reshuffle is the assignment of additional responsibilities to senior IRS officer Sonam Chombay of the 2003 batch.
Chombay has now been entrusted with the additional charge of Commissioner (Planning), expanding his already extensive administrative responsibilities within the state government.
Apart from the Planning Department, he will continue to oversee several important portfolios, including:
Power (Electrical)
Land Management
Commissioner to the Chief Minister
Hydropower
Officials indicated that the move reflects the government’s confidence in his administrative capabilities and experience in handling complex infrastructure and development-related assignments.
However, as part of the redistribution of departmental responsibilities, Sonam Chombay has been relieved of the Geology and Mining Department portfolio, which has now been reassigned to another senior officer.
A.K. Singh Assigned Geology and Mining Department
Senior bureaucrat A.K. Singh has been given additional responsibility for the Geology and Mining Department following the reshuffle.
The department plays a critical role in managing Arunachal Pradesh’s mineral resources, regulatory oversight and mining-related policy implementation. Officials said the reassignment is part of efforts to ensure more balanced allocation of responsibilities among senior administrators.
Amjad Tak Gets Additional Charge of Education and PHE
In another major administrative decision, 2005-batch IAS officer Amjad Tak has been entrusted with additional charge of the Education Department and Public Health Engineering (PHE).
Tak is currently serving as Resident Commissioner and Divisional Commissioner (Central), and will continue to hold these responsibilities alongside the newly assigned portfolios.
The Education Department remains one of the state’s most important governance sectors, while the PHE Department is central to implementation of drinking water and sanitation projects. The combined assignment places Tak in a significant position within the state’s administrative framework.
Duly Kamduk Shifted to Rural Works Department
IAS officer Duly Kamduk, a 2013-batch officer, has been shifted from the Education Department and relieved of his responsibilities related to the State Project Director (ISSE).
He has now been posted to the Rural Works Department (RWD), where he is expected to focus on rural road infrastructure, connectivity projects and development works in remote regions of the state.
Government officials stated that the reassignment is aimed at strengthening rural infrastructure execution and improving implementation efficiency in development projects.
Karma Leki Assigned Additional Administrative Responsibilities
Secretary Karma Leki, who is presently serving in the Department of Karmik and Administrative Affairs (DoKAA), has also been given additional responsibilities under the latest reshuffle.
He will now oversee:
Protocol
SA Division
GA Division
DA Division
The order stated that these changes will formally take effect following the superannuation of senior official Komkar Dulom on May 31, 2026.
Vivek HP Moved to Health Department
IAS officer Vivek HP, currently serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Secretary, has been transferred to the Health Department.
The posting is being viewed as part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen administrative support in the healthcare sector, particularly in areas related to public health delivery, institutional coordination and implementation of health infrastructure projects.
Government Focused on Administrative Streamlining
Senior officials said the reshuffle reflects the Arunachal Pradesh government’s broader strategy of administrative streamlining and institutional strengthening.
By reallocating responsibilities among experienced officers, the government aims to improve departmental coordination, accelerate decision-making processes and enhance governance outcomes in key sectors.
The transfer orders have been circulated to all concerned departments and officers, with instructions for immediate implementation.
