In a strategic administrative move, retired IAS officer Ajatshatru Shrivastava has been appointed as a Consultant at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis (AIGGPA) in Bhopal. While his formal designation is with the institute, his primary mandate involves overseeing the political and administrative affairs of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
Navigating Age Restrictions
The decision to appoint Shrivastava as a consultant rather than an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) was driven by statutory age limits. Contractual appointments for the OSD role in Madhya Pradesh are restricted to individuals under the age of 65. Having retired in 2018, Shrivastava is currently 67, making him ineligible for the direct OSD position. By placing him at AIGGPA—the state’s premier governance think tank—the government has successfully integrated his expertise within the legal service framework.
Key Role and Responsibilities
Shrivastava takes over the political coordination responsibilities from Mahesh Choudhary, a former IAS officer who was recently reassigned as the Administrative Member of the Private Universities Regulatory Commission.
Political Management: He will serve as a vital link between the Chief Minister’s office and various political stakeholders.
Governance Liaison: Leveraging his vast experience to monitor the execution of the CM’s priority projects and administrative directives.
A Proven Track Record
Ajatshatru Shrivastava, a 1996-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, is a seasoned administrator with deep roots in the state’s bureaucracy:
Past Experience: He previously served in high-profile roles, including Collector of Ujjain, Commissioner of Bhopal, and OSD to former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Association with Mohan Yadav: His professional relationship with the current Chief Minister dates back to his tenure as Ujjain Collector, where Yadav was a prominent regional leader. This long-standing familiarity is cited as a key reason for his selection.
Professional Background
Shrivastava rose through the ranks from the state civil services and held several critical leadership positions during his career:
Divisional Commissioner: Bhopal and Narmadapuram (2016–2018).
Departmental Head: Served as Commissioner-cum-Director of State Archaeology and Managing Director of the State Warehouse Corporation.
Environmental & Agri-Governance: Member Secretary for the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and MD of the MP State Agricultural Marketing Board.
