Raipur
Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain will continue in his post and not retire, a decision taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday. The Union government had already approved the state government’s proposal for his extension.
The cabinet approved Jain’s service extension after receiving clearance from the Union government. Interestingly, Jain was scheduled to retire on Monday, but will now continue until further orders.
Had Amitabh Jain retired, Subrat Sahoo or Manoj Pingua were strong contenders for the post of Chhattisgarh’s 13th Chief Secretary. Subrat Sahoo was considered the frontrunner, with Manoj Pingua also being a prominent name in discussions.
Cabinet Expansion on the Horizon
Discussions are also underway regarding the inclusion of new ministers in the state cabinet. Chief Minister Sai met with Governor Ramen Deka on Sunday evening. The Chief Minister’s Secretariat released photographs of the meeting, stating that matters of state interest were discussed.
Subrat Sahoo a Frontrunner for Chief Secretary
Subrat Sahoo, a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre, was a leading name for the Chief Secretary’s post. A survey had previously listed him among the country’s 50 influential IAS officers. He is currently Additional Chief Secretary of the Religious Trusts and Endowments Department and plays a significant role in the state’s Ramlala Teerth Darshan Yojana.
Manoj Pingua Also in Contention
Manoj Pingua, a senior 1994-batch IAS officer, was also widely discussed as a potential Chief Secretary. His recent meeting with officials at the Prime Minister’s Office in Delhi fueled speculation about his appointment.
Pingua is known for his clean image and calm demeanour as an administrative officer. He is also considered the Chief Minister’s Secretariat’s top choice. Currently, Manoj Kumar Pingua serves as Additional Chief Secretary of the Home and Jail Department and is the President of the Chhattisgarh IAS Association.
He previously held the position of Principal Secretary for Home and Jail departments for an extended period. He also served as Chairman of the Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal and Madhyamik Shiksha Mandal. Pingua has been a Collector in various districts, including Janjgir-Champa (the second Collector after its formation), Dhamtari, and Surguja.
In 2014, Pingua went on central deputation as Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Before this, he was Secretary of the Tribal Welfare and General Administration Departments in Chhattisgarh. Upon his return from central deputation in 2016, he held several portfolios.
Other Officers in Discussion
Subodh Singh: An IAS officer who returned to Chhattisgarh from central deputation, he has been appointed Principal Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and plays a key role in the government’s functioning.
Renu Pillay: A 1991-batch IAS officer, she is currently Additional Chief Secretary of Science and Technology and Chairman of Vyapam and the Chhattisgarh Education Board.
Permanent DGP Appointment Pending
IPS Arun Dev Gautam is currently the interim Director General of Police. A permanent DGP is yet to be appointed in the state. Gautam is favoured by politicians and subordinate officers and has a strong administrative grip. He has not been involved in any controversies since taking charge as DGP.
Historically, interim appointees in the state have often been confirmed for the permanent position, making him a strong contender.
Cabinet Expansion Awaited
The announcement of new ministers in the Chhattisgarh government could happen at any time, with names finalised and only the official declaration pending. This announcement was previously delayed due to elections and the list of corporation and board appointments.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has repeatedly asked the media to “wait a little” when questioned about the expansion. His recent meeting with the Governor has reignited discussions that the state may soon have its new ministers.
Two Ministerial Berths Vacant
When the Sai cabinet was formed, it included 12 ministers, including the Chief Minister. Traditionally, the state cabinet has 13 ministers, leaving one position vacant from the start. With the resignation of Brijmohan Agrawal during the Lok Sabha elections, the number of ministers reduced to 11. Consequently, two ministerial positions are currently vacant in the Sai cabinet.
The current Sai cabinet has the highest number of ministers from the Surguja division. Raipur, Durg, and Bastar divisions have only one minister each. This suggests that these three divisions could see increased representation in the cabinet.
