Rajiv Mehrishi is new chief secretary, Garg gets finance

JAIPUR: The Vasundhara Raje-government on Friday appointed Rajiv Mehrishi as the chief secretary of the state and Subhash Chandra Garg as the principal secretary, finance. Both of them were on deputation at the Centre and are believed to be Raje's loyalists.
Mehrishi was almost certain to the post once Raje return to power in the state. He was holding the post of secretary with the department of fertilizers in the Union ministry of chemicals and fertilizers.The 1978-batch IAS officer would replace the current incumbent C S Rajan who was holding the additional charge after C K Mathew was transferred as chairman of the transport department.
The new chief secretary is an alumnus of St. Stephen's College, Delhi, and was principal secretary (finance) during the last term of Raje. Considered an upright officer, he has been credited for effectively managing the state's finances. After Ashok Gehlot came in power in 2009, Mehrishi was transferred as chairman, Indira Gandhi Nahar Board (IGNB). According to sources, both Mehrishi and his wife Mira Mehrishi (ex-IAS officer) are in good terms with Raje in their personal capacities.
In the past, Mehrishi held many other important portfolios and was also commissioner, Jaipur Development Authority, and the transport commissioner. He is likely to be the chief secretary for the next 19 months till his retirement in August 2015.
Another important change made on Firday was the return of S C Garg as the principal secretary, finance. Garg, an IAS officer from the 1983 batch, has been appointed to post which he earlier he held from 2006-08 during Raje's tenure. Currently, he was serving as joint secretary in the Union cabinet secretariat, New Delhi.
A qualified professional from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, Garg is known for his thorough knowledge in finances. He replaced Govind Sharma who has been transferred to IGNB. Raje after putting in place key officials is likely to make more shuffles in the coming days.