Ferry ghat owner suspected of poisoning 10 monkeys with pesticide-laced bananas
The Haryana government has appointed Vivek Joshi as the new Chief Secretary, effective immediately following the retirement of TVSN Prasad. Joshi, an IAS officer from the 1989 batch and part of the Haryana cadre, is returning to the state after a notable tenure in central deputation. His last position was as the Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training within the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, where he managed critical human resource functions for the central government.
In his role as Chief Secretary, Joshi will oversee several vital departments including general administration, human resources, personnel training, parliamentary affairs, and the vigilance department. He will also serve as the secretary in charge of plan coordination, which involves the strategic planning and implementation of state initiatives. This position places him at the helm of Haryana's administrative machinery, where he will play a pivotal role in shaping policy and governance within the state.
Joshi's extensive experience in public administration includes significant roles in both state and central government. Prior to his central deputation, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), where he was instrumental in urban planning and development projects aimed at enhancing infrastructure in the region. Additionally, he has held positions such as Principal Secretary of the Monitoring and Coordination Department and Deputy Commissioner, which have provided him with a robust understanding of the challenges and dynamics of governance at the grassroots level.
His academic credentials further bolster his profile; Joshi holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Roorkee, a postgraduate diploma in International Business from IIFT New Delhi, and a PhD in Internal Economics from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. This diverse educational background equips him with the analytical skills needed to address complex administrative issues. Until Joshi officially assumes his duties, Anurag Rastogi, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) from the 1990 batch, will manage the responsibilities of the Chief Secretary, ensuring continuity in governance during the transition period.