Vivek Joshi Emerges as Frontrunner for Haryana Chief Secretary Position

The race for Haryana's top bureaucratic position is intensifying as current Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad's retirement date of October 31 approaches. Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch IAS officer, has emerged as the leading candidate following his repatriation to the state from his central posting as Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training.

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) approved Joshi's return to his parent state at the Haryana Government's request. Significantly, this decision came shortly after Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, suggesting high-level consultations on the appointment.

However, the situation remains fluid as sources indicate that incumbent Prasad might receive a three-month extension, potentially followed by another extension of equal duration. The BJP government appears committed to maintaining the seniority principle in this appointment to avoid controversy. 

The succession line includes several 1990-batch IAS officers: Sudhir Rajpal, Sumita Misra, Ankur Gupta, Anurag Rastogi, Anand Mohan Sharan, and Raja Sekhar Vundru. The appointment carries additional significance as the state government must also fill the vacant position of Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management (FCR), the second-highest bureaucratic post.

The careful handling of these appointments reflects the government's sensitivity to seniority-related issues, particularly among the 1990-batch IAS officers. This strategic approach aims to ensure a smooth transition in the state's administrative leadership.