A big administrative reshuffle both in the bureaucracy and in the police department is on the cards particularly as some senior officers of the IAS cadre have either retired or have got the green signal to proceed on central deputation. Besides, a list was also allegedly prepared of those officers who, according to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionaries, were instrumental in the poor show of the party in the recently-concluded elections.

The state cabinet has already approved the new transfer policy for 2024-25 and an increase in the salaries of employees retiring on June 30 and December 31. Under this policy, Group A and B officers who have completed three years in a district and seven years in a division can be transferred. Transfers are also imminent because Uttar Pradesh will soon face assembly by-elections in nine constituencies and the administrative reshuffle has to be done before the model code of conduct comes into force.

A senior official in the CM secretariat said, “The chief minister is busy with preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Varanasi visit on June 18. After that, he will finalise the transfer list of IAS and IPS officers.”

According to sources, the state government is in search for the post of the top-most bureaucrat in the state, chief secretary, as chances of Durga Shanker Mishra getting further extension are very remote particularly as he has already got three extensions so far. He is set to retire on June 30. The second most senior bureaucrats of the state –Agriculture Production Commissioner Devesh Chaturvedi and Additional Chief Secretary to chief minister, Shashi Prakash Goel – have already received no-objection certificates to go ahead on their central deputation, sources in the government confirmed.

Three more IAS officers – KV Pandian, Anil Dhingra and Kumar Ravikant Singh – have also been empanelled for central posting. Besides, since the model code of conduct came into force, some senior IAS officers like Amit Mohan Prasad, Anita Singh, Sudhir Garg, Kalpana Awasthi, Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and others retired from their services.

Sanjay Prasad, Principal Secretary to CM, also holding the charge of Information, was also relieved of his assignment of principal secretary (home) on the orders of the Election Commission of India. His charge was given to Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Deepak Kumar. It is likely that Prasad will get his charge back.

However, sources say that if this time the Central government does not influence the posting of chief secretary, then Manoj Kumar Singh, said to be close to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is likely to take charge from Durga Shanker Mishra and a big shake-up will be also seen in the chief minister’s secretariat.

Sources further say that many police chiefs, including commissioners of at least two zones commissionerates, may be shifted as the ruling party performed badly in their jurisdictions. DG Renuka Mishra and ADG BK Singh, who are on the waiting list, can also get posting.

Due to the implementation of the model code of conduct, minor changes were made during the elections with the permission of the ECI. PV Ramasastri, who returned from central deputation, got the charge of DG (Jail Administration) in place of SN Sabat, who was shifted as DG CBCID.  The postings were made as DG CB CID, Anand Kumar and DG (Cyber Crime) Subhash Chandra retired from their services.

The state government is also facing controversy particularly as the two top posts in the police department – Director General of Police, and ADG (Law and Order) – were given as additional charge to Prashant Kumar and Amitabh Yash. The government failed to find any officer to be posted as full time DG since unceremonious removal of then DGP Mukul Goel from his post.

According to sources, some officers who have been posted in the police commissionerates for a long time can also be removed. Similarly, there is a possibility of transfers in zones and ranges as well. On the basis of complaints received during the elections, police captains of some districts are also on the target. The Home department is engaged in investigating these complaints. Similarly, officers who are posted at their old place of posting even after promotion to the IPS cadre can also be given new postings. Some such officers are posted in Ayodhya.