Rajan tipped to be next additional CS-home

To ensure continuity in the post of additional chief secretary (home) (ACS-home), arguably the second most important bureaucratic position in the state after the chief secretary, the state government is looking at appointing a person who will have at least two years in the job.

Sources in Mantralaya said that the New Delhi-based Dr Amitabh Rajan is tipped to  become the next (ACS-home).  “If the state had wanted to name a person based in Mantralaya, they would have done so right away rather than ask a current ACS to hold additional charge,” the source added.

As an officer of the 1979 batch, Rajan is junior to some of the other contenders such as Dr JK Banthia (1977) and JS Saharia (1978). But at 57 years of age, he has three years before retirement. At present, ACS (public health) JK Banthia is holding additional charge of the home department.

A highly placed source said the state government was veering to the view that certain key posts should be occupied for at least a couple of years, as was being done by the centre.

“Learning the nitty-gritty of the department is a time-consuming and if any secretary wants to ensure that his agenda is implemented, he needs about two years in the job,” this source said. Incidentally, Sarangi was (ACS-home) for just over a year.