Administrative Reshuffle in Himachal: Key Portfolios Temporarily Reassigned to Maintain Governance Continuity
In a significant administrative reshuffle aimed at ensuring smooth governance during the absence of several senior bureaucrats, the Himachal Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, has assigned additional responsibilities to eight IAS officers.
The reshuffle was necessitated as multiple senior officials are either on leave or undergoing training. The official orders, issued by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, detail the temporary portfolio extensions for the officers, who will now handle these added responsibilities alongside their current roles.
Key Portfolio Reassignments:
Dr. Abhishek Jain, IAS, presently Secretary (PWD, Finance, Planning, Economic & Statistics, and 20-Point Programme), has been additionally appointed as Secretary to the Chief Minister.
M. Sudha Devi, IAS, Secretary (Health & Family Welfare and Personnel), has also been given charge of Secretary, MPP & Electricity, NCES, and Education.
C. Paulrasu, IAS, Secretary (AR, Training & FA, RPG, Cooperation, Horticulture & Agriculture), will also serve as Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs.
Ritesh Chauhan, IAS, Secretary (Animal Husbandry), will additionally oversee the Transport and Industry departments.
Rajesh Sharma, IAS, Secretary (Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & GAD), has been assigned additional charge as Secretary, SAD, SWD, and Parliamentary Affairs.
Rakhil Kahlon, IAS, currently Secretary (AYUSH & DT&G), has been appointed as Divisional Commissioner of Shimla Division. He will continue handling his existing responsibilities, including Secretary (Information & Public Relations, Language, Art & Culture, Technical Education, and JSV).
Dr. Richa Verma, Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation Ltd., will also serve as Managing Director of HPMC Shimla, HP Agro Industries Corporation, and HP Agro Industrial Packaging India Ltd.
Rakesh Kumar Prajapati, IAS, Director (Energy), has been given additional charge as Managing Director of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL).
Reason for the Reshuffle
This administrative reshuffle was prompted by the absence of several top officials:
R.D. Nazim, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs, Transport & Industry)
Rakesh Kanwar, IAS, Secretary (Education, LAC, I&PR, SAD, SWD, Parliamentary Affairs, MPP, Energy, NCES, and Secretary to the Chief Minister)
Additionally, IAS officers Kadam Sandeep Vasant, Sudesh Kumar Mokhta, and Sandeep Kumar are currently undergoing training, contributing to the temporary redistribution of roles.
This reshuffle is viewed as a standard administrative step to ensure continuity in governance and avoid any disruption in departmental functions due to the temporary unavailability of senior personnel.
