Avinash Kumar Named New Chief Secretary of Jharkhand

Ranchi — Senior IAS officer Avinash Kumar has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Jharkhand, replacing Alka Tiwari, who retired on Tuesday after completing her tenure.

The Department of Personnel, Administrative Reforms, and Official Language issued a formal notification in the evening confirming the appointment of Kumar, a 1993-batch officer of the Jharkhand cadre.

In addition to his new role, Kumar will also serve as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and Chief Resident Commissioner of Jharkhand Bhavan in New Delhi.

Prior to this appointment, he held several key posts, including Development Commissioner, CMD of Jharkhand Energy Development Corporation Limited, and MD of Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited.

Shortly after taking charge, Kumar met Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Meanwhile, Ajay Kumar Singh, a 1995-batch IAS officer, has been given the additional charge of Development Commissioner until further orders.

Kumar’s selection followed the retirement of Alka Tiwari (1988 batch). Though senior officers Shailesh Kumar Singh (1991 batch) and Nidhi Khare (1992 batch) were next in line, both are currently on Central deputation, paving the way for Kumar, third in seniority, to be chosen.

Other senior officers, including Ajay Kumar Singh, Satyendra Singh, and Nitin Madan Kulkarni, were also in contention but the government opted for Avinash Kumar.

With inputs from IANS