Rajiv Kumar, a 1981 batch IAS officer of UP cadre and Secretary in the Union ministry of Shipping, is likely to take over as the next Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. Official sources were however not in the know of when he would take up his new assignment.
Orders for his posting as Chief Secretary of UP were issued on June 21 following an approval by the cabinet committee of appointment on June 20. Incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also arrived in lucknow the same day to participate in International Yoga Day.
The issued order stated that `the appointments committee of the cabinet has approved premature repatriation of Rajiv Kumar (Secretary, Ministry of Shipping) to his parent cadre’. Kumar will replace Rahul Bhatnagar, who may be shifted to some other post.
Rahul Bhatnagar has been empanelled for Secretary’s post with the Union government and may also be sent to the Centre on deputation.
Known as an upright officer, Rajiv Kumar has held various important posts in the state. He previously served as the divisional commissioner of Saharanpur, Meerut as well as in the industrial development department.
Kumar was considered a front runner for the top bureaucratic post ever since Yogi Adityanath took over as Chief Minister on March 19. The CM, it is said, was keen on having Kumar as the Chief Secretary.
The change of guard at the top level of the civil services is likely to trigger another round of administrative reshuffle in the state.
After Yogi took over, at least seven senior officers, who were on Central deputation, have been repatriated to their parent cadre —Uttar Pradesh.
The officers who returned to UP from deputation to the Center include 1989 batch officer Sanjay Bhoosreddy, who is yet to be posted, 1988 batch IAS Alok Kumar, who has been posted as Principal Secretary in Energy department, Prashant Trivedi, a 1988 batch IAS officer, who has been posted as Principal Secretary for Medical, Health and Family welfare, 1989 batch officer Shashi Prakash Goel, who has been made Principal Secretary to the CM and also looking after Civil Aviation and Estate department and 1992 batch IAS officer Anurag Srivastava, who is yet to join in lucknow.
Earlier, 1987 batch Awanish Awasthi had taken charge as Principal Secretary for Information, Tourism and Religious affairs as well as Chief Executive Officer of Uttar Pradesh Expressway and Industrial Development Authority.