Administrative reshuffle in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Jan 31 (UNI) As part of a major administrative reshuffle, the Chhattisgarh government has shifted Additional Chief Secretary (Home) B K S Ray to the Academy of Administration as its director-general.

As the Addl Chief Secretary, Mr Ray -- an Indian Administrative Service officer of the 1972 batch -- was also holding the charges of Jails, Transport and was the Commissioner (Agriculture Production).

He was among the strong contenders for the post of chief secretary to replace Mr R P Baghai, who attained superannuation today.

However, the government cleared the appointment of Additional Chief Secretary (Commerce, Industry and Mining) Shiv Raj Singh, a 1973-batch IAS officer, to take over as the chief secretary.

An official spokesman said today that Mr Ray would also hold the additional charge of Chairman, Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education and Professional Examinations Board. The post of Director-General, Academy of Administration, has been upgraded as equivalent to chief secretary, he added.

Mr S V Prabhat, who was until now the resident commissioner in Delhi, has been posted as the Principal Secretary (Home, Jails, Transport and Civil Aviation).

Mr P Joy Ommen has been moved as the Principal Secretary (Commerce and Industry, Public Undertakings, Housing and Environment) while Mr M K Raut will hold the charge of Secretary (Public Works, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare).

Mr T S Radhakrishnan has become Principal Secretary (Tourism and Culture) and Commissioner (Culture and Archaeology). He will also be the Coordinator (Women's Welfare Programmes) while Mr S Minj will be the Commissioner (Agriculture Production) and will hold the additional charge of Principal Secretary (Forests).

Mr Alok Shukla has been posted as Chief Electoral Officer and Secretary (Law and Legislative Affairs), Secretary (Revenue, Religious Trusts and Endowments), Commissioner (Relief and Rehabilitation) and Secretary (Food and Civil Supplies).

Commissioner (Tribal Welfare) B L Thakur has become the Secretary (Mining). This will be in addition to his present responsibilities with regard to rehabilitation of victims of naxal violence, monitoring of relief camps and serving as Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Antyavayasai Vit Evam Vikas Nigam.

UNI