Retired IAS officer Suresh Kumar has been appointed Chief Principal Secretary to Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singhon Friday.
A 1983-batch officer, Kumar is known to speak his mind when talking with the top political executive. He was the Principal Secretary to Capt Amarinder during his earlier tenure, from 2002-2007, as well.
Kumar has handled all top portfolios in the State, including Irrigation, Power and also as Additional Chief Secretary, Development. He is well versed in administration largely due to his approach of not allowing any pressure to build up on various issues.
Kumar also enjoys a good reputation as an officer. When Parkash Singh Badal was elected as Chief Minister in 2007, he had retained Kumar in the important portfolio of Irrigation and Power.
The Chief Minister's Office’s spokesperson said that Kumar has been appointed in the rank of Cabinet Secretary of Government of India (GoI).
A post-graduate in commerce from Delhi University, Kumar started his career as Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Talwandi Sabo and retired as Additional Chief Secretary (Development) in April 2016.
He served the Punjab Government and remained on Central deputation in different capacities and dealt with key governance and regulatory issues in matters concerning Power, Water Resources, Agriculture, Cooperation, Education, Industries, Tax and Economic administration, Environment, Water Supply and Sanitation, Urban local Government, and governance reforms.