Governor Approves Transfers; Mukesh Sahu, Gyanendra Tripathi, and Konwar Narayan Kumar Among Officers with New Portfolios
In a significant administrative realignment, the Government of Assam, under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has issued transfer and posting orders for four senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers. This marks the second major reshuffle within a week, signaling the state’s intent to strengthen governance and accelerate departmental performance.
The Department of Personnel released the official transfer orders following approval from the Governor of Assam.
Dr. John Berchmans to Head Industries and Commerce
Dr. John Berchmans, a 1995-batch IAS officer, has been relieved from his previous position as Additional Chief Secretary, Labour Welfare Department. He has now been appointed as Additional Chief Secretary, Industries, Commerce & Public Enterprises Department, in addition to overseeing the Tea Tribes Welfare Department. His appointment is viewed as a strategic move to boost industrial development and attract new investments to the state.
Mukesh Chandra Sahu Gets Transport Portfolio
Senior IAS officer Mukesh Chandra Sahu, who was serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Women and Child Development and Bodoland Welfare Departments, has been entrusted with the additional charge of the Transport Department. His expanded role comes at a time when the government is focusing on modernizing Assam’s transport infrastructure and logistics network.
Konwar Narayan Kumar Assigned Multiple Key Roles
In view of the deputation of Dr. Om Prakash, a 2006-batch IAS officer and MD of Samagra Shiksha Ekaam Mission, to Bihar for election duty as General Examiner for the 2025 Legislative Assembly polls, the state has reallocated major education-related portfolios.
Konwar Narayan Kumar, presently serving as Secretary, Higher Education and School Education Departments, will now also serve as Registrar, Cooperative Societies; Managing Director, Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA); Director, Official Language Welfare; and Managing Director, Samagra Shiksha Mission.
Gyanendra Dev Tripathi Takes Charge of Border Security and Development
Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, a 1998-batch IAS officer, has been relieved from his assignment as Principal Secretary, Transport Department. He has been posted as Principal Secretary, Border Security & Development Department, and will also oversee the Implementation of the Assam Accord and the Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department. Additionally, he has been given charge of Principal Secretary, Labour Welfare Department.
Reshuffle Aimed at Strengthening Governance and Developmental Focus
According to official sources, the reshuffle aims to reinforce leadership in strategically significant departments, including industry, education, border security, and transport. The changes are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance administrative coordination, speed up developmental projects, and improve service delivery across the state.
Senior officials stated that these postings reflect the government’s broader vision of aligning capable officers with critical portfolios to sustain Assam’s momentum in governance reforms and economic growth.
