Speculation over new Chief Secy as incumbent eyes RERA top post

There is speculation that a new Chief Secretary may be appointed as there is possibility that incumbent Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena may be appointed as the Chairman of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).

Saxena will be retiring on March 31, 2025, but there is speculation that he may be appointed as the Chairman of RERA and the government will appoint a new Chief Secretary in the near future.

The term of Srikant Baldi, RERA Chairman, will end on December 12 but the process for the appointment of his replacement is yet to begin. Baldi has held the position of Chief Secretary before he was appointed the Chairman of RERA.

It has been reliably learnt that Saxena has expressed desire to remain disassociated with the entire process for the appointment of the RERA Chairman, indicating that he is in the race for the post.

The possibility of Saxena seeking post-retirement benefit and giving up his remaining term as Chief Secretary has led to hectic lobbying for the top administrative post. The senior most IAS officer in the state, Sanjay Gupta, a 1988 batch Himachal cadre officer, who was superseded earlier, is learnt to be in the race for the post of Chief Secretary. Gupta, who is at present posted as Chief Managing Director (CMD) of Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd (HPSEBL) is lobbying hard for the top post. He is due to on May 31, 2026.

Kamlesh Kumar Pant, a 1993 batch officer at present posted as Additional Chief Secretary (Forest), is also trying for the top post. He had returned to Himachal after a long stint at the Centre. He will retire on December 31, 2030.

Though Sanjay Murthy, a 1989 batch Himachal cadre IAS officer, will retire on December 31, 2024, he is no longer in the race for the post of Chief Secretary as he has already got an appointment in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Next in line for the post of Chief Secretary is Anuradha Thakur of the 1994 batch. She is at present on a Central deputation in the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs. She will retire on April 30, 2030. Onkar Sharma, at present posted as Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), is next in seniority and will retire on February 28, 2027.