“It is time to pay back the immense love showered by the people of Punjab,” said KAP Sinha as he officially took over the role of Punjab’s 43rd Chief Secretary at Punjab Civil Secretariat. He replaced Anurag Verma, marking the third appointment of a Chief Secretary in just two and a half years tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party-led State Government.
Two years ago, 1989-batch IAS officer VK Janjua was appointed Chief Secretary. Following his retirement, the charge was handed over to Anurag Verma on July 1, 2023.
Sinha, an IAS officer from the 1992 batch of the Punjab cadre, also assumed additional responsibilities as the Principal Secretary of Vigilance and General Administration. His appointment comes at a crucial time for the state, with a pressing focus on citizen-centric governance and transparent service delivery.
In his inaugural address, Sinha expressed gratitude for the love and respect he has received throughout his career in Punjab. He emphasized his commitment to tirelessly serve the citizens of Punjab, aiming to facilitate the seamless provision of essential services. “The government is determined to continue delivering services in a transparent and hassle-free manner, prioritizing the overall development of the state,” he said, reaffirming his dedication to the welfare schemes initiated by the Punjab Government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Among those present at the ceremony were senior IAS officers such as Vikas Pratap, Alok Shekhar, DK Tiwari, and several others who shared their experiences of working with Sinha across various departments. They collectively assured him of their unwavering support in achieving the government's objectives for Punjab's prosperity.
Before his appointment as Chief Secretary, Sinha served as the Special Chief Secretary-cum-Financial Commissioner of Revenue. His illustrious career has seen him in various pivotal roles across prestigious departments, including Finance, Taxation, Food and Civil Supplies, Higher Education, Environment and Science and Technology, and General Administration.
His diverse experience also includes significant tenures in the Union Government, where he contributed to the Ministries of External Affairs, Industries and Commerce, and Atomic Energy. Notably, he has represented India at various national and international conferences and has served as the Deputy Commissioner of Bathinda and Gurdaspur.
The change in leadership comes amid a period of transition for the Punjab Government, which has seen a series of administrative shifts over the past few months. Punjab Government has recently experienced considerable changes in its Cabinet as well, with four Ministers being relieved of their duties about two weeks ago. This reshuffling, alongside Sinha’s appointment, signals a renewed focus on stability and effective governance in the state with AAP’s Delhi leadership keeping a close watch.
