This is probably for the first time that three officers of additional chief secretary rank have gone on a foreign trip simultaneously. All three are holding key positions.
While Shikhar Agrawal, additional chief secretary to CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and Anand Kumar, additional chief secretary home, are on official duty, Akhil Arora, additional chief secretary finance is on a personal trip to United Kingdom. His wife Aparna Arora, who is additional chief secretary forest and climate change, is holding additional charge of Anand Kumar till this week.
The charge of Akhil Arora has been given to Abhay Kumar, additional chief secretary water resources. Kumar had also held charge of chief secretary last week when Sudhansh Pant was on a trip to Singapore to woo investors for Rising Rajasthan.
Anand Kumar has gone to Manila, capital of Philippines, to attend Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. The conference will be till November 18, 2024.
Shikhar Agrawal has gone as part of Rising Rajasthan delegation led by chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. Agrawal is on a week long tour to Munich and London where the Rajasthan delegation will pitch for investment.
“The chief minister and chief secretary have entrusted the responsibility of drawing investment for Rising Rajasthan on all senior officers. And all officers are working extra bit and as a unit to make Rising Rajasthan successful. They are travelling, engaging with industry bodies, contacting investors and pitching it hard to attract investment,” said a senior official.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.
