GANDHINAGAR: Pankaj Kumar, the senior-most IAS officer in the state after chief secretary Anil Mukim, has been named the next chief secretary of Gujarat. A 1986-batch officer, Pankaj Kumar, will take charge of the top post in the state bureaucracy after Anil Mukim’s superannuation on August 31.
The state’s general administration department issued Kumar’s appointment order on Friday.
Kumar is serving as additional chief secretary (ACS) of the state home department, before which he spent a significant amount of time as ACS of the revenue department. Kumar has also served as secretary to the CM while Narendra Modi was Gujarat chief minister.
Known for his proactive approach to governance, Kumar led a series of reforms during his long tenure as ACS revenue. He has wide experience in departments such as revenue, home, health and family welfare in various capacities.
He has also served in state PSUs like Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation, etc. He worked as collector and DDO in several districts as well.
Kumar was also assigned the task of leading the state administration in adopting digital governance. Being posted for over four years in the revenue department, Kumar has built a rapport with all collectors and DDOs and knows the issues of all the districts in depth.
Kumar was given direct responsibility of the state’s health and family welfare department after the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak and played a key role in quickly upgrading health infrastructure to meet the pandemic challenges.
Although Pankaj Kumar’s superannuation is due in May 2022, like his predecessor Anil Mukim, he is also likely to get a one-year extension as the state will face assembly elections in December 2022.
Kumar after his appointment said, “I am thankful to the PM and CM for putting their trust in my abilities. Through my career, the government has given me the best of opportunities to serve the people of Gujarat. Gujarat is known for its development-oriented governance. My foremost priority will be to further expedite the development process initiated by PM Narendra Modi and CM Vijay Rupani.”
