Principal Secretary Umakant Panwar has taken voluntary retirement under voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) on Thursday.
He had applied for this on August 3 while Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) had accepted it on August 10.
However, his decision to avail VRS has eyebrows raised in the State administration. It has triggered questions over whether some pressure has led to his decision to quit. However, sources say that he has been appointed as the Director of State Policy Planning.
Those close to him say that he was forced to go for VRS as he is determined to pursue his studies. Burdened as he was with the charge of a slew of important departments like power and home, it was proving difficult for him to get time for studies, said one who is supposed to be close to Panwar.