Sanjay Kaul Takes Over As GIFT City's New Chief

An order issued by the Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department of Gujarat, Kamal Dayani, references the notification from the Government of India, Secretary of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Kaul will take over from Tapan Ray, whose term ended a month ago.

However, Ray continued to oversee the operations of the project.

Kaul who previously served in the Gujarat government on inter-state deputation between 2011 and 2016, handled key positions in the various departments inlcuding Tourism and Science & Technology. That apart, he has also held important assignments in the finance, industries, and home departments.

His appointment comes after Ray's term ended. Ray was in charge of the GIFT City project for six years.

In addition to overseeing GIFT City, the state government is expected to entrust Kaul with the implementation of other critical infrastructure projects, reflecting the administration’s confidence in his administrative experience and familiarity with Gujarat’s developmental priorities.

Officer’s Profile

Kaul is a 2001-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer belonging to the Kerala cadre. Hailing originally from Vadodara, Gujarat, he has held several key positions in the Kerala state administration over the past two decades.

He is currently serving joint secretary in the Ministry of Culture. Previously he served as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Kerala, a post he assumed in July 2021, after having worked as Additional CEO during the 2021 Kerala Assembly elections. Known for his sharp administrative acumen, Kaul has also served as Secretary (Finance - Expenditure) in the Kerala government, showcasing his expertise in fiscal management.

Over the years, he has been entrusted with multiple responsibilities, including as Secretary of the Ports Department, Secretary for Industries and Commerce, and Secretary for Home & Vigilance. He has also served as the District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram, gaining strong ground-level administrative experience.

Kaul has led several important public sector undertakings (PSUs) in Kerala. He has been Chairman and Managing Director of Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC), Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), KELTRON, and Travancore-Cochin Chemicals Ltd. His leadership in these roles has contributed significantly to Kerala’s industrial and financial ecosystem.

In recognition of his administrative capabilities, Kaul was empanelled as Joint Secretary to the Government of India, a significant milestone in any IAS officer’s career.

Known for his calm demeanor and multi-sectoral experience, Kaul continues to play a vital role in Kerala's governance, especially in electoral reforms, finance, and industrial development.