Race on to fill Chandra Iyengar’s post

The state government is finding it difficult to find a successor for additional secretary (ACS), home, Chandra Iyengar, who will retire on November 30. A dearth of officers of the rank of ACS, and a major reshuffle in the offing in the state bureaucracy may delay the appointment by at least three weeks.

ACS home is believed to be an important post after chief secretary, and is the only post where an official of a lower rank cannot be appointed.

At present, Nabard chairman Umeshchandra Sarangi, additional chief secretary, public health, Jayant Banthia, and Rajeev Agarwal, who is on deputation at the Centre, are believed to be front-runners for the post.

Other names that can be considered are MMRDA chief Ratnakar Gaikwad, ACS, employment and self employment, Ana Dani, Subodh Kumar, who is on deputation at the Centre, and principal secretary of relief and rehabilitation JS Sahariya.

A senior IAS officer said the chief minister would prefer handing temporary charge to one of the ACSs at the Mantralaya, and the appointment would be after the winter session, during the reshuffle.

“Agarwal is believed to be interested in the post, while Gaikwad is believed to have said he would like to complete his tenure at the present post.

Agarwal is believed to be a strong contender as the next chief secretary (CS), and some babus believe he should be brought back before he is elevated as CS,” the official said.

The official added that since U Sarangi has completed his three-year tenure as Nabard chairman, the race would be between him and Banthia.