Law Kumar Mishra
Patna, January 25
The 1987-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Raj Kumar will be the new Chief Secretary (CS) of Gujarat.
Kumar, who is presently serving as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) (Home), will replace incumbent Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar, whose term expires on January 31, 2023. The state government issued an order to this effect, putting to rest the speculation in the power corridors that Pankaj could get another extension. He was given an eight-month extension in May 2022.
He had taken the charge of CS after Anil Mukim’s extended tenure ended in August 2021. Before that, Pankaj Kumar held the post of Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Home Department. After Pankaj Kumar’s promotion as CS, Raj Kumar was made ACS Home.
Raj Kumar was on central deputation from 2015 to 2021. His last posting was Secretary Defense Production. Raj Kumar was given the charge of Industries department in Gujarat after ACS Rajiv Kumar retired in May 2022.
The state government said Raj Kumar would be Officer on Special Duty in the Chief Secretary Officer till assuming charge of state’s administrative head on January 31.
