Speculation is rife in the corridors of power over possibility of a six-month extension for chief secretary Rakesh Sharma, who was elevated to the post from that of additional chief secretary on August 1 this year. Sources said that Chief Minister Harish Rawat is interested in appointing senior IAS officer Shatrughan Singh as new chief secretary of Uttarakhand. The State Government will have to deliver its welfare projects on ground in 2016 otherwise the Congress may face a tough situation in the upcoming assembly election in 2017.
Sharma is slated to retire on October 31. In case he does not get the extension the special Assembly session slated to start at Gairsain on November 2 would see a new chief secretary.
Notably, the State Government had sent a proposal to the Central Government in September, asking for an extension of Rakesh Sharma’s tenure by six months, but things are hanging fire with the Centre maintaining a studied silence. Sources further said that state government had sent a proposal for his extension as mere eyewash because CM wants to have new face as chief secretary.
Earlier, there was a buzz that Sharma had got the extension for three months when the Prime Minister was on his US tour. But it died down with the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) choosing to keep things hang in balance.
Sources said that Sharma’s extension file (number 315454) has been pending before the Union government with PMO sitting on it. Sources further said that things had gone wrong as the letter seeking his extension was written by Principal Secretary Personnel. “CM was misguided as far as procedural finer points were concerned,” said one supposed to be privy to CM office.
As per norms, if a bureaucrat completes six months as chief secretary he is likely to be given three months’ extension. However, in this case, CS Sharma would retire before he completes three months at the post. “Viewed against this background, he is unlikely to be given extension. October 31 being the deadline, the situation is likely to clear before the date,” said an observer.
Significantly, senior IAS officer Shatrughan Singh, who had been on Central deputation, has joined the State service on October 21.
It would be pertinent to mention here that Shatrughan Singh has worked in Prime Minister's office (PMO) and has considerable experience in dealing with the Union government. The CM wants to ensure that the bureaucracy effectively executes developmental and welfare schemes in 2016. In this scenario, the CM may want to capitalise on the rapport which Shatrughan Singh enjoys with bureaucrats at the Centre and in the State.