Buzz around new Chief Secy: Will Rastogi retire or reign?
In Haryana — a politically crucial state well-known for certain bureaucratic chutzpah — the big question buzzing through the corridors of power is: Who will be the next Chief Secretary?
With Anurag Rastogi, the current incumbent, set to retire on June 30, speculation is rife whether he will be granted an extension or replaced by an officer from the 1990 or 1991 IAS batch.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is reportedly backing Rastogi for an extension and has already forwarded his file to the Union Government. While the final call rests with the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), the succession race is heating up.
At least four 1990-batch officers — Sudhir Rajpal, Sumita Misra, Anand Mohan Sharan and Raja Shekhar Vundru — and five 1991-batch officers — Vineet Garg, Anil Malik, G Anupama, AK Singh and Abhilaksh Likhi — are said to be in the fray.
As per the All-India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958, Rastogi could be granted a six-month extension with prior ACC approval. Some insiders suggest he may even be given a one-year extension.
Rastogi, currently No. 3 in Haryana’s seniority list, ascended to the top bureaucratic post in February after his predecessor Vivek Joshi was appointed Election Commissioner. His appointment had stirred eyebrows for bypassing senior officers like Rajpal and Misra, the top two in the gradation list.
However, a long-standing seniority dispute has complicated matters. Several 1990-batch officers had challenged the seniority of Rajpal and Misra, who originally belonged to non-Haryana cadres and joined Haryana later. While their positions at the top of the seniority list remain intact, no final decision has been taken on the dispute.
Over the years, granting extensions to retiring Chief Secretaries — especially those close to the ruling regime — has become the norm rather than the exception.
Recent examples support that view. Rastogi’s batchmate, Prabodh Saxena, was granted a six-month extension as Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary in March. Similarly, Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja (1990-batch officer) received a one-year extension starting January 1 on the state government’s recommendation. In Uttar Pradesh, DS Mishra was granted three extensions totalling 2.5 years before retiring on June 30 last year.
Despite the coveted nature of the Chief Secretary post, its influence has arguably diminished in some states. A retired Chief Secretary told The Tribune, “With the Chief Minister creating the post of Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister (CPSCM), usually held by a retired bureaucrat, the Chief Secretary’s post has lost some of its sheen.”
The concept of a CPSCM was first introduced in the region by then Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh, who appointed Suresh Kumar to the post. It was soon adopted in Haryana by Manohar Lal Khattar, who appointed former Chief Secretary DS Dhesi, followed by Rajesh Khullar. The current CM, Nayab Saini, has retained Khullar, who is often seen as the “Super Boss” in the Chief Minister’s Office.
Nevertheless, the appointment of a new Chief Secretary remains a matter of national interest among bureaucrats. Whether Rastogi gets another term or a new face emerges, Haryana’s bureaucratic watchers are keeping a close eye on the decision.
Haryana Tribune