Chandigarh administration carries out major portfolio reshuffle across depts

Chandigarh: In a major administrative reshuffle, the Chandigarh administration on Monday reallocated key portfolios across depts, assigning additional responsibilities to several officers following the induction of two new PCS officers.The dept of personnel issued the transfer and posting orders with the approval of the UT administrator. Officials described the exercise as a routine administrative move aimed at enhancing efficiency and better distribution of workload among officers, though insiders indicated that some changes were influenced by recent developments, including the bank fixed deposit scam and long tenures beyond three years in certain posts.One of the key changes involves a change of guard at CREST, which has been hit by the FD scam. Nitish Singla has been appointed chief executive officer of CREST and director, science and technology, while continuing as director, school education.According to the notification issued by chief secretary Rajesh Prasad, which took immediate effect, Akhil Kumar (DANICS) has been given multiple important portfolios, including Additional Secretary (Establishment), Additional Secretary (House Allotment Committee), Director (Food & Supplies and Consumer Affairs), and Legal Metrology.Amit Kumar (DANICS) has been assigned additional secretary (coordination), home/protocol, environment & forests, personnel, and technical education.Among Haryana Civil Service (HCS) officers, Pradhuman Singh has been entrusted with the charges of additional excise & taxation commissioner-cum-deputy commissioner, director (Industries), and secretary, Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). He has been relieved of the charge of director, transport, and Registration and Licensing Authority.Radhika Singh has been given the responsibility of director (higher education), director (social welfare), and managing director of the Chandigarh SC, BC & Minorities Financial & Development Corporation, among other roles.Dr Inder Jeet has been retained as joint commissioner, municipal corporation, and additional chief executive officer, Chandigarh Smart City Limited.PCS officers have also received significant responsibilities. Sorabh Kumar Arora has been appointed director (sports), joint secretary (excise & taxation), and director (AYUSH), along with other charges.The two newly joined PCS officers have been allocated crucial portfolios as well. Avikesh Gupta has been appointed as Registering & Licensing Authority, Director (Transport)-cum-Divisional Manager (CTU), and given responsibilities related to urban planning and housing.Balbir Raj Singh has been posted as joint IG (prisons), superintendent (model jail), and joint commissioner, MC.Palika Arora has been assigned the charge of director (technical education) and controller-cum-joint secretary (printing & stationery), relieving her of the charge of social welfare director.Paviter Singh has been posted as sub-divisional magistrate (East) and assistant estate officer.Naveen (DANICS) will handle agriculture, animal husbandry, tourism, and has been appointed chief general manager, CITCO.Khushpreet Kaur (DANICS) retains the charge of assistant estate officer-II and SDM (Central).Rajiv Tewari, DC (F&A), continue to hold the post of director (public relations) and member secretary of the Chandigarh Right to Service Commission. He has been relieved of the charge of assistant estate officer.