Major Reshuffle in Haryana Chief Minister's Office (CMO) Work Distribution
Haryana News: A significant reshuffle has taken place in the work distribution within the Haryana Chief Minister's Office (CMO). Five departments have been removed from the portfolio of the Chief Principal Secretary, Rajesh Khullar, yet he remains the most powerful officer.
Haryana Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, has announced a new distribution of responsibilities within the CMO. This change reduces the workload of Chief Minister's Chief Principal Secretary, Rajesh Khullar. Previously responsible for 21 departments, five have been reassigned to other officers.
However, Khullar continues as the most influential officer in the CMO. He remains the overall in-charge of the CM office and retains responsibility for departments not specifically allocated to others.
Departments Removed from Rajesh Khullar's Portfolio
Rajesh Khullar has been relieved of responsibilities for the Jails, Labour, Public Health and Engineering, PWD, and Social Justice and Empowerment departments. He will, however, continue as the Chief Minister's principal advisor and senior-most officer. Khullar was also considered a highly influential officer during the tenure of former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
Arun Gupta Receives Four New Departments
The responsibilities of the Chief Minister's Principal Secretary, Arun Gupta, have also been altered. His portfolio, previously encompassing nine departments, has expanded to eleven. He has been given charge of CRID, Jails, PWD, and Social Justice and Empowerment departments. However, Housing for All and Youth Empowerment departments have been removed from his purview. Arun Gupta will continue as the key officer for the implementation of Chief Minister's announcements.
Saket Kumar Takes on Housing for All
Additional Principal Secretary, Saket Kumar, has been given responsibility for the Housing for All department. His portfolio, previously comprising eight departments, has increased to nine. He will also continue monitoring the performance of various departments under the Kurukshetra Development Board and the CM Window.
New Departments for Yash Pal Yadav
Deputy Principal Secretary, Yash Pal Yadav, has been relieved of the Higher Education department. He has been assigned responsibility for the Labour and Public Health and Engineering departments. His responsibilities also include Architecture, Archives, Heritage & Tourism, Printing & Stationery, School Education, and Sports departments. He will also oversee the Saraswati Heritage Board.
Raj Nehru Heads the Department of Future
OSD Raj Nehru has been entrusted with the newly created Department of Future. He has also been given charge of Higher Education and Youth Empowerment & Entrepreneurship departments. This department will focus on future planning and policies.
Changes in Other Officers' Responsibilities
The Chief Minister's OSD, Bharat Bhushan Bharti, has not been assigned any departmental responsibilities. HCS Vivek Kalia has been assigned the task of resolving complaints related to the CM Window (One) and Jan Samvad program. HCS Sudhanshu Gautam retains responsibility for six departments. He will continue to oversee the allocation of all government housing except Type-5 accommodations.
Sudhanshu has been given responsibility for Chief Minister's announcements, CM Relief Fund, HRDF, online transfers, and matters related to the Waqf Board. Rakesh Sandhu has been given the charge of CM Window (Second) and Grievance Redressal.
