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Just months before Assam goes to the polls, the government has reshuffled 14 senior IAS and state officers, triggering high-profile swaps across key districts including Guwahati and Bodoland raising questions over the timing and strategy behind the sudden administrative shake-up.
Major bureaucratic reshuffle ahead of Assam elections
Guwahati: In a significant administrative overhaul months before the Assam Assembly elections, the state government has transferred and reassigned 14 senior IAS and state service officers, triggering a series of district-level and departmental changes.
Kamrup Metropolitan Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sumit Sattawan has been transferred to Tinsukia, while Swapneel Paul, previously DC of Tinsukia, will now take charge of Guwahati, one of the state’s most crucial administrative hubs.
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In central Assam, Aranyak Saikia, who was serving as staff officer to the chief secretary, has been appointed the new DC of Karbi Anglong. He replaces Nirala Phangshopi, who has been moved to the Hill Areas Department as additional secretary.
The reshuffle includes multiple exchanges among district heads.
Aayush Garg, DC of Sivasagar, and Mridul Yadav, DC of Cachar, have swapped their postings.
Similarly, Dibakar Nath (Dhubri DC) and Nabadeep Pathak (Bongaigaon DC) have exchanged districts.
In the Bodoland Territorial Region, Masanda Magdalin Pertin has been relieved from her dual role as DC of Kokrajhar and Director of Training at the Bodoland Administrative Staff College. She has been appointed Joint Secretary in the Finance Department.
Pankaj Chakravarty, the outgoing DC of Tamulpur, will now take over as DC of Kokrajhar. Meanwhile, Simi Karan, previously Joint Secretary in the Environment and Forest and Housing and Urban Affairs departments, has been appointed the new DC of Tamulpur.
The reshuffle also affects the prison and home departments. Pubali Gohain, IG (Prisons) and Home and Political Secretary, has been appointed DC of Darrang. She replaces Parag Kumar Kakaty, who has been transferred as DC of Golaghat.
The outgoing Golaghat DC, Pulak Mahanta, will now serve as IG (Prisons).
Officials indicate that the reshuffle is part of routine administrative measures aimed at strengthening governance and ensuring smooth functioning ahead of the upcoming elections. Such transfers are commonly seen as the state prepares for heightened administrative and electoral responsibilities.
