Top Bureaucrats In The Fray For Coveted Delhi Chief Secretary Post

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) is considering a few IAS officers from the AGMUT cadre for the post, according to sources. A decision is expected soon.

Dharmendra Kumar is a 1989 batch IAS officer of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre. He is set to retire on September 30. 

Meet The Top Four IAS Officers

Each of the candidates in the race brings a heap of expertise, experience, and leadership qualities, in conformity with the unique governance and bureaucratic landscape of Delhi.

Four of the IAS officers in the race are:

Punya Salila Srivastava (IAS:1993): Punya Salila Srivastava is touted as the strongest candidate for the post. Currently serving as Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, her experience in serving in the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs would prove useful for the post of Chief Secretary, as it entails coordination with the Central government.

Bipul Pathak (IAS:1992): Bipul Pathak, who holds a wide-ranging experience in services, was recently appointed the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary (Home).

Ashwani Kumar (IAS:1992):  Ashwani Kumar is a seasoned bureaucrat currently serving as the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Kumar had served in the Home, Revenue, and Urban Development.

Vikram Dev Dutt (IAS:1993): Vikram Dev Dutt is a senior bureaucrat serving as the Secretary in the Ministry of Coal. With services extended across the Central and local administration and having worked in several departments, he could act as a liaison between Central priorities and local governance.

Why The Post Is Crucial

The Chief Secretary has the formidable task of bridging the gap between Delhi's elected government, bureaucracy, and the Lieutenant Governor. The appointment of the Chief Secretary gains prominence in view of the implementation of the policies of the Rekha Gupta government in New Delhi.

Furthermore, with winter approaching in Delhi, the new Chief Secretary will be instrumental in reducing pollution, which was one of the top priorities of the BJP in its poll plank in the Assembly elections held earlier this year.

The new Chief Secretary's role will be pivotal in navigating the complexities of Delhi's administrative and political landscapes.