Ahead of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Gujarat Government Reassigns Key Portfolios; 12 Senior IAS Officers Handed Additional Charges
In a major administrative realigning aimed at maintaining operational continuity while state leadership conducts international roadshows, the Government of Gujarat has issued executive orders reassigning additional administrative responsibilities to 12 senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers.
The interim reshuffle comes as several top-tier bureaucrats embark on overseas delegations to promote the upcoming edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS), slated for January. To prevent governance bottlenecks across vital executive sectors—including Finance, Revenue, Health, Industries, and Agriculture—the General Administration Department (GAD) has distributed critical departmental charges among senior bureaucrats remaining at headquarters.
Strategic Realignment Across Key Secretariats
The temporary arrangements cover heavy-portfolio departments to ensure that routine administrative approvals, policy implementations, and regulatory oversight continue unimpeded during the global promotional drive.
Major Portfolio Responsibilities
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General Administration & Finance:
T Natarajan, IAS (ACS, Finance) has been entrusted with the additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD). Sandeep Kumar, IAS (Secretary, Finance – Economic Affairs) will temporarily oversee the office of Secretary, Finance (Expenditure).
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Industries, Commerce & State Taxation:
Rajeev Topno, IAS (ACS, Health and Family Welfare) takes over additional duties as ACS, Industries and Mines—a critical portfolio during the run-up to the investment summit. Milind Torawane, IAS (Principal Secretary, Education) will serve as the Industries Commissioner in addition to his current charge. Ajay Bhadoo, IAS (Managing Director, GMDC) assumes extra responsibilities as Chief Commissioner of State Tax. Kuldeep Arya, IAS (Secretary, Tourism) will concurrently discharge duties as Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC).
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Revenue, Labour & Environmental Sector:
B. A. Shah, IAS (Commissioner of Land Reforms) has been assigned the additional responsibilities of ACS, Revenue. Vinod Rao, IAS (Principal Secretary, Forests and Environment) will hold additional charge as Secretary, Labour, Skill Development, and Employment. Rajesh Manjhu, IAS (Superintendent of Stamps and Inspector General of Registration) takes on the supplementary role of Revenue Inspection Commissioner.
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Public Health, Technology & Agriculture:
Dhananjay Dwivedi, IAS (Principal Secretary, Panchayats) assumes additional responsibilities as Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST). Dr. Ratankanvar Gadhavicharan, IAS (Commissioner of Health – Rural) gets a multi-departmental brief, taking additional charge as Secretary (GAD), MD of Gujarat State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation, and Settlement Commissioner. Nagarajan M, IAS has been given dual supplementary responsibilities as Managing Director of Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation and Commissioner of Fisheries.
Preparations for the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit
The administrative reshuffle reflects the state government’s dual focus on external investment outreach and internal administrative stability. The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, conceptualized as a flagship biennial event, serves as a primary vehicle for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), fostering industrial partnerships, and positioning Gujarat as an international economic hub.
As senior bureaucratic delegations tour international financial centers to engage with global trade bodies, corporate leaders, and foreign governments, the redistribution of departmental responsibilities ensures that decision-making back home in Gandhinagar remains smooth and responsive. Official sources confirmed that these charge arrangements will remain active until the officers return from their official foreign assignments and resume their primary duties.
