Ranchi, 30 September (IANS) senior IAS officer Avinash Kumar has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Jharkhand after Alka Tiwari was successful, whose term ended on Tuesday.
The state government on Tuesday evening issued a formal notification through the Personnel Department, Administrative Reforms and the official language, which announced the appointment of a 1993 batch officer of Jharkhand cadre.
Along with the top bureaucracy post, Avinash Kumar is also assigned to other responsibilities.
According to the notification, he will also serve as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand Bhawan, New Delhi and Additional Chief Secretary of the Chief Commissioner.
Till now, Avinash Kumar had held prominent positions including Development Commissioner, Chairman of Jharkhand Energy Development Corporation Limited and Managing Director and Managing Director of Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited.
Avinash Kumar met Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday evening after receiving the allegation as the new Chief Secretary.
Ajay Kumar Singh, a 1995 batch IAS officer, who is currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department, has been given additional charge of Development Commissioner till further orders.
Avinash Kumar’s appointment comes against the backdrop of the reshuffle in seniority in the bureaucracy of the state. His predecessor, Tiwari (1988 batch), took over as Chief Secretary on November 1, 2024 and retired on Tuesday.
After his retirement, the top contender in the seniority list was Shailesh Kumar Singh (1991 batch). But he is currently serving as Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development on Central deputation.
The next line had Nidhi Khare (1992 batch), which is also on central deputation. Unavable with both senior officials, Avinash Kumar, who was third in seniority, emerged as a natural alternative.
1995-Batch IAS officers Ajay Kumar Singh, Satyendra Singh and Nitin Madan Kulkarni and other senior officials were also considered strong contenders. However, the state government finally decided in favor of Avinash Kumar.
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SNC/SKP/VD