Haryana Prepares for Major Administrative Shake-up

Haryana is on the brink of a major administrative transformation. This shake-up comes as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, having secured the public's trust for a third consecutive term, seeks to bolster its administrative machinery with competent and honest officers.

New Chief Secretary: A Critical Appointment

At the forefront of this reshuffle is the appointment of a new Chief Secretary. The current Chief Secretary, TVSN Prasad, is set to retire on October 31, paving the way for a new top bureaucrat. Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch IAS officer currently on Central deputation, has emerged as the frontrunner for this crucial position. The state government's decision to adhere to the 'seniority principle' in this appointment is particularly significant, given the existing 'seniority issues' among 1990-batch IAS officers.

The selection of the new Chief Secretary is not just about filling a vacancy; it's about setting the tone for the state's administrative direction in the coming years. The chosen candidate will play a pivotal role in implementing the government's policies and ensuring efficient governance across all departments.

Filling Key Positions: FCR and PSCM 

Another critical appointment on the horizon is that of the Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR). This position, second only to the Chief Secretary in seniority, has remained vacant due to disputes among 1990-batch officers. The filling of this role is expected to streamline the state's revenue and disaster management operations.

Additionally, with V Umashankar, the current Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister (PSCM), departing for a Central deputation, the Nayab Singh Saini government will soon appoint a new PSCM. This change is likely to coincide with broader restructuring within the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Revamping the CMO: Political and Bureaucratic Appointments 

The CMO is set for a significant overhaul, with several new political appointments on the cards. These include a Media Adviser to the CM, a Political Secretary to the CM, and multiple Officers on Special Duty (OSDs). The government is also considering appointing new Additional Principal Secretaries to the CM (APSCMs) and a Deputy Principal Secretary to the CM (DPSCM), likely to be chosen from serving bureaucrats.

A senior BJP functionary emphasized the party's commitment to bringing honest and competent officers into crucial departments, particularly the CMO. This move reflects the government's recognition of the public's continued faith in the BJP and its determination to deliver effective governance.

As The Haryana Story continues to follow these developments, it's clear that this administrative reshuffle is more than just a routine change of guard. It represents the BJP government's strategy to enhance its administrative efficiency and effectiveness, potentially setting new benchmarks for governance in Haryana.

The coming weeks will be crucial as these appointments are finalized, with many of them expected to be made in consultation with the BJP high command. The success of this administrative overhaul could have far-reaching implications for Haryana's governance and development trajectory in the years to come.