Ignoring seniority row, govt picks Rastogi as Chief Secy

Overlooking an unresolved seniority dispute within the 1990 batch of IAS officers, the Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government has once again appointed Anurag Rastogi as Haryana’s Chief Secretary. This marks the second time in just over three months that he has been given the top bureaucratic post. He will retire in June this year, leaving him with just over four months of service.

In the orders issued by the Personnel Department late in the evening, Rastogi was named as the new Chief Secretary, General Administration, HR, Personnel & Training, Parliamentary Affairs, Vigilance Department and Secretary Incharge of Plan Coordination. He shall also look after the charge of Additional CS, Finance and Planning Department. This has been done keeping in view the Budget to be presented next month.

Rastogi has been chosen over two senior officers of his batch, Sudhir Rajpal and Sumita Mishra, despite an ongoing challenge to their seniority by him and two other officers, Ankur Gupta (now retired) and Raja Sekhar Vundru. The dispute remains unresolved.

The vacancy arose after former Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi (1989-batch IAS officer) opted for voluntary retirement following his selection as an Election Commissioner. In what is seen as a political decision, Rastogi was appointed over his batchmates to lead the state’s bureaucracy.

Considered close to Union Minister and former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Rastogi is known for his clean, non-controversial image and neutrality within bureaucratic factions. He has maintained a strong presence across multiple regimes, holding key positions in different governments.

During the INLD government, he served as Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram and Panipat (twice). In the Congress-led administration, he was appointed Director of Town and Country Planning. Under the BJP’s two terms, he emerged as a trusted officer of Khattar, managing crucial portfolios throughout the party’s tenure.

Following the BJP’s return to power for a third term in October 2024, Rastogi was initially appointed Chief Secretary after the retirement of TVSN Prasad on October 31. While Vivek Joshi was officially named the new CS, Rastogi was given the charge for three days before Joshi assumed office on November 4. Since then, Rastogi has held key roles in the Revenue and Finance departments. With Rastogi set to retire on June 30, 2025, the selection of the next Chief Secretary will be closely watched.