IAS officer Dharmendra appointed as Delhi's new chief secretary

The central government appointed IAS officer Dharmendra as the new chief secretary of New Delhi, PTI reported citing a Ministry of Home Affairs order on Saturday.

Dharmendra is a 1989-batch IAS officer who will replace Naresh Kumar, a 1987-batch IAS officer. Kumar's extension ended on August 31. Dharmendra is currently the chief secretary of Arunachal Pradesh.

“With the approval of the Competent Authority, Sh. Dharmendra, IAS (AGMUT:1989) is hereby transferred from Arunachal Pradesh to Delhi and posted as Chief Secretary, GNCTD w.e.f.01.09.2024 or with effect from the date of joining, whichever is later,” the ministry of home affairs said in its order.

This won't be the first time Dharmendra will be taking over a position in Delhi, as he previously served as the principal secretary of the Home Department.

IAS Naresh Kumar received extension twice during his tenure as DelhI CS

IAS Naresh Kumar was set to be retired in November 2023. However, he received two extensions. There were speculations that Kumar might get another extension of his service. Before the confirmation of the new Delhi Chief Secretary's name, there were speculations about the next Delhi CS.

"Although there was no clarity whether Kumar will get another extension on the post, names of several senior IAS officers of AGMUT cadre, including Dharmendra and Puneet Kumar Goel, are taking rounds as the new chief secretary of Delhi," PTI quoted a senior officer in the city government earlier.

The selection of an IAS official on the chief secretary's post would play a key role in the view of upcoming Delhi Assembly polls set to take place in February 2024, reported the news agency citing sources.

The appointment of Delhi Chief Secretary has been a major bone of contention between the AAP government and the Centre. Last year, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government had filed a plea in the Supreme Court against any move by the Centre to appoint an officer for the post without consultation. The plea also objected to the extension of Kumar's tenure after the due date of his retirement.

However, the Supreme Court upheld the Centre's decision to extend Kumar's tenure by six months. While announcing the order, the apex court observed that it did not find violative of law or constitutional distribution of powers between the Union and the Delhi government.