The search for a new Chief Secretary (CS) has begun in Himachal Pradesh. Acting Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta is retiring on May 31st. This has sparked discussions about the next head of the bureaucracy. Kamlesh Kumar Pant, a 1993 batch IAS officer and Additional Chief Secretary, is considered the frontrunner for the new CS.

KK Pant leads the list in seniority. He currently holds important portfolios such as ACS Forest, Home, Revenue, and Vigilance. Following KK Pant in seniority is 1994 batch IAS Anuradha Thakur, third in seniority is ACS and 1994 batch IAS Omkar Sharma, fourth in seniority is Bharat Harbanslal Khera of 1995 batch, and fifth in seniority is 1995 batch IAS and ACS Rawather Dawood Nazim.

KK Pant Emerges As Frontrunner For Chief Secretary Post

If seniority is given priority, KK Pant is considered almost certain to become CS, as his second-highest ranking officer, Anuradha Thakur, is already on central deputation in Delhi. Her chances of returning are slim. Third in line is ACS Omkar Sharma, who is believed to have a strained relationship with the government.

Omkar Sharma’s Chances Seen As Weak After Vimal Negi Probe

In fact, last year, the government commissioned Omkar Sharma to investigate the death of Chief Engineer Vimal Negi. This report raised questions about the government’s functioning, and the High Court also reprimanded the government on this basis. Because of this, Omkar’s chances of becoming Chief Secretary are considered slim.

Harbans Kheda is also on central deputation

Bharat Hasbanslal Kheda, the fourth-ranked IAS officer in seniority, is also on central deputation. Rawather Dawood Nazim, the fifth-ranked senior IAS officer, is preparing to travel to Delhi. He has also received a NOC from the central government. Sources indicate that if the state government prevents Nazim from going to Delhi, he too could be appointed Chief Secretary.

Due to this, after KK Pant, Nazim is also being considered a strong contender for the post of Chief Secretary.

Devesh Kumar, Sanjay Gupta Also Part Of Discussions

There is also talk that if a regular Chief Secretary is not appointed, Devesh Kumar, a 1998 batch IAS officer and Principal Secretary of Finance, could be given the additional charge of Chief Secretary. However, his appointment as Chief Secretary would supersede three IAS officers currently serving in the state.

Discussions about extension to Sanjay Gupta

There are also talks of a six-month extension for current Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta. However, this is unlikely, as he is not the regular Chief Secretary, but has been given the additional charge of CS. The Chester Hill scam in Solan is also considered a hurdle to his extension.