In a late-night administrative overhaul, the Uttarakhand government transferred 29 officers, including 18 IAS and 11 PCS officials. The major reshuffle reallocated key departments, signaling a push for stronger governance, accountability, and administrative efficiency across the state.
Late-Night Administrative Shake-Up in Uttarakhand
Dehradun: In a sudden and dramatic move late at night, the Uttarakhand government launched a major administrative reshuffle that sent shockwaves through the state’s power corridors in Dehradun.
At a time when internal imbalance and bureaucratic friction had been simmering beneath the surface, the government took decisive action by transferring a large number of senior officials in one stroke.
This move was not seen as routine administrative housekeeping. Instead, many within the bureaucracy viewed it as a firm attempt to reset the system and restore efficiency through strategic redistribution of responsibilities.
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The transfer list released by the state government clearly indicates the scale of the shake-up. A total of 29 officers, including 18 IAS and 11 PCS officers, were reassigned new roles. The changes go beyond formal transfers, involving major shifts in key departments and responsibilities.
While the official narrative emphasizes improving coordination and administrative effectiveness, insiders see the move as linked to performance reviews and recalibration of power dynamics within the government structure.
Several senior-level officers faced significant changes. Principal Secretary Meenakshi Sundaram was relieved of the Housing Department, while Secretary Shailesh Bagoli was divested of the Drinking Water Department. The Health Department, considered one of the most crucial portfolios, was handed over to Sachin Kurve.
Meanwhile, Dilip Jawalkar was relieved of his role as Director of Audit, and Secretary B.V.R.C. Purushottam lost charge of the Cooperation Department. These moves signaled the government’s intent to make impactful changes at the highest administrative levels.
Further strategic shifts included R. Rajesh Kumar, who was moved from the Health Department to the Housing Department. Dipendra Chaudhary was stripped of responsibilities related to Secretariat Administration and the AYUSH Department. Similarly, Vinod Kumar Suman was relieved of his roles as Secretary of General Administration and Project Director of UDRP.
These decisions were widely interpreted as carefully calculated, aimed at fine-tuning administrative functioning rather than merely rotating officials.
Several officers were entrusted with new responsibilities. Ranveer Singh Chauhan was moved from Food and State Property to Secretariat Administration. Ahmed Iqbal was assigned the Cooperation Department, Ranjana Rajguru took charge of AYUSH, Anand Swaroop was appointed Secretary of the Food Department, and Dev Krishna Tiwari became Planning Secretary.
At the governance level, Umesh Narayan Pandey was given charge of the Reorganization Department, while Rajendra Kumar was appointed Secretary of General Administration. Vijay Kumar Jogdande received additional charge as Additional Secretary, Election Department.
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IAS officer Anamika was placed on compulsory waiting, while Praveen Kumar was appointed Additional Director of Urban Development and Manmohan Manali took charge as Director of Audit.
The sweeping reshuffle has been widely interpreted as a message emphasizing accountability, performance, and discipline. Whether seen as strict governance or a “surgical strike” within the bureaucracy, the move underscores the state government’s intent to strengthen administrative control and streamline governance.
