When Rajasthan chief secretary Usha Sharma got 6 months of extension in service in June this year, she was not the only chief secretary to get extension. The West Bengal chief secretary H K Dwivedi also got 6 months extension along with Usha Sharma. In every likelihood, they both are likely to get superannuated as further extension is unlikely.
Usha Sharma, a 1985 batch officer assumed charge of chief secretary on January 2022. She had been quite effective as an administrator and will be remembered for making secretariat file less. Her emphasis on online filing has brought speed and transparency in the bureaucratic system. Sharma has had a memorable stint and took almost every bureaucrat together.
Dwivedi, a 1988 batch, became chief secretary in June 2021. He is a close confidante of Mamta Banerjee, who would like him to continue till at least Lok Sabha elections. But further extension looks difficult, however, not ruled out.
Dwivedi had never been on central deputation and had worked with Didi all through her three tenures. He had handled all important departments like home, finance, planning, excise and commercial taxes before annexing the top post.
According to sources, additional chief secretary (home) Bhagwati Prasad Gopalika. a 1989-batch officer may replace Dwivedi.
“However, nothing can be said till an official announcement is made,” said a senior officer adding that last extension of Dwivedi happened in last moment.
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