HP govt changes chief secy ahead of byelections

SHIMLA: In a swift move the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government changed the chief secretary in an unexpected bureaucratic reshuffle carried out in the midst of the monsoon session of Vidhan Sabha.

Ram Subagh Singh, 1987 batch IAS officer, was appointed as the new chief secretary replacing 1986-batch’s Anil Khachi on Thursday. Earlier, in a notification on Thursday, the state government had appointed Khachi as the state election commissioner with immediate effect.

Khachi was appointed as the chief secretary in 2019. Ram Subhag, who was serving as the additional chief secretary industries, transport and labour and employment, has been appointed the new chief secretary. Khachi known for his tough stance and impeccable integrity resigned from the IAS post to take up his new assignment as the state election commissioner.

Ram Subagh is the sixth chief secretary replaced during the BJP tenure. Ram Subhag assumed the office of chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday. A Himachal cadre IAS officer, Ram Subhag has held many important assignments within and out of state and was instrumental for various innovations. Born on 31 July, 1963, Ram Subhag has a vast administrative experience of 34 years. After assuming office, he expressed gratitude towards CM Jai Ram

Thakur for the responsibility and said while working as the chief secretary, his priority will be to take flagship programmes of the government to people.

Ruckus in HP assembly over Khachi’s transfer

Noisy scenes were witnessed in the Himachal Pradesh assembly on Thursday as the opposition Congress protested the removal of chief secretary Anil Khachi and walked out of the House when it was told that the appointment of officials was the prerogative of the government.

Speaker Vipin Singh Parmar ruled that the issue can’t be raised in the House. “The appointment of officers is the sole prerogative of the government,” he said.