Even as intense lobbying was underway for the coveted post of Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh, which was set to fall vacant with the retirement of Prabodh Saxena on March 31, an unexpected development took everyone by surprise.
Just ahead of his farewell party on Friday evening, Saxena was granted a six-month extension, altering the anticipated course of succession.
Sources revealed that the state government received the official communication from the Government of India (GoI) at the eleventh hour, right in the midst of a cabinet meeting.
The unexpected decision forced officials to withdraw the traditional shawl and cap that were meant to honor Saxena after the cabinet meeting. A senior officer noted that the abrupt extension not only disrupted the farewell plans but also left aspirants for the top post in limbo.
Saxena, a 1990-batch IAS officer, had assumed charge as Chief Secretary on December 31, 2022, shortly after the Congress came to power in the state.
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Throughout his career, he has held several key positions at the state, central, and international levels, establishing a strong administrative track record.
Prior to this unexpected extension, several senior bureaucrats were being considered for the post. The front-runners included Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta (IAS batch 1988), Kamlesh Pant (IAS batch 1993), and Onkar Sharma (IAS batch 1994).
Among them, Onkar Sharma, a Himachal Pradesh cadre officer known for his clean image and upright approach, was seen as a strong contender. His familiarity with the state’s governance and administrative priorities had made him a leading choice.
However, with Saxena’s tenure extended, the dynamics within the bureaucratic circle have shifted, leading to speculation about future leadership transitions in the state’s top administrative office.
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