New Haryana Chief Secretary Kaushal follows in footsteps of father-in-law, brother

Pradeep Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 30

The 1986-batch IAS officer Sanjeev Kaushal, who was elevated by the Haryana Government as state’s chief secretary on Tuesday, has carried forward family’s legacy by becoming third person from the family to don Chief Secretary’s hat.

Following in the footsteps of his illustrious father-in-law BS Ojha and his elder brother Sarvesh Kaushal, Kaushal’s elevation has not come a surprise as he was the senior-most officer in the state administration and front-runner for the top post.

While Ojha was the Haryana Chief Secretary in the early nineties, Sarvesh Kaushal has been the Punjab Chief Secretary. In fact, Kaushal’s father late Baldev Kaushal was Engineer-in-Chief with the Haryana Government.

Kaushal has succeeded Vijai Vardhan, who retired today. Kaushal has sufficient service left with his retirement due on July 31, 2024. Kaushal had also been the Principal Secretary to Chief Minister when the BJP formed the government under Manohar Lal Khattar in 2014.

Considered to be a competent and yet sensitive officer, Kaushal has been instrumental in executing two major pet projects of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar during his tenure as the Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR). These are the modernisation of the age-old revenue record rooms and project to make Haryana “lal dora” free.

Source said though the appointment of the Chief Secretary was the prerogative of the state government, yet the Khattar was keen on following the principle of seniority. “Kaushal was chief minister’s obvious choice given his vast experience, affable nature and non-controversial conduct,” the source asserted.