There is no formal announcement, neither there has been any crowning of number 2 in Rajasthan's bureaucracy. But going by indications and symbolism, it seems Abhay Kumar, a batch junior to 1991 batch IAS officer chief secretary Sudhansh Pant, enjoys the confidence of chief secretary. It's not only by virtue of his (Abhay Kumar's) seniority but also due to his non controversial unblemished service record. Kumar is currently serving as additional chief secretary water resources department. He has also been given responsibility of nodal officer for BJP government's first anniversary events. He will review department wise achievements and landmark in the first year.
Recently, in a review meeting of IAS officers of all levels from collectors to functional heads, chief secretary Sudhansh Pant left the meeting in between handing over reins to Abhay Kumar for concluding the meeting. It's a rare occasion when any chief secretary nominates an officer to chair meeting while leaving the meeting in between.
A month back, Abhay Kumar had the opportunity to serve as an officiating chief secretary for a week from 6-12 October when Sudhansh Pant went on a tour to Singapore, as part of roadshow to promote Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit to be held from 9-11 December 2024.
Pant, then had issued official order nominating Abhay Kumar as the ‘man to go to' in his absence.
This is probably an unprecedented occasion when any chief secretary handed over temporary charge to an officer in his absence.
Abhay Kumar is the natural choice
Abhay Kumar, a 1992 batch IAS officer is the senior most officer in secretariat after chief secretary. Other two officers senior to him (Abhay Kumar) in Rajasthan are posted out of secretariat. Senior most in the lineup Subodh Agrawal, a 1988 batch IAS officer is serving as director general of Indira Gandhi Panchayatiraj Sansthan while a batch junior to him Shubhra Singh is posted as chairperson Roadways.
“In such a situation, Abhay Kumar automatically gets the privilege to serve in absentia of Pant,” said a senior IAS officer.
Another IAS officer argued that Pant has no obligation to hand over temporary charge to anyone.
“There is no such instance where chief secretary hands over charge to any IAS officer in his absentia. Only once C K Mathew suo moto handed over charge of chief secretary to C S Rajan when Mathew went for a long leave after then opposition BJP levelled charges for favouring ruling Congress against Mathew ahead of elections,” the officer argued.
Healthy tradition of anointing No.2
The Chief secretary Sudhansh Pant is trying to establish good traditions in Rajasthan bureaucracy.
“It's a good and healthy tradition to let officers know who is Number 2 after CS. In case of Abhay Kumar, seniority is also in his favour. Pant has taken a bold step by issuing official order for officiating in his (Pant) absentia. I hope forthcoming chief secretaries continue with this tradition,” said a senior IAS officer.
Pant has been able to inculcate discipline and punctuality in the working of secretariat. Officers now come office in time and the decision making has also become fast after fixing turn around time (TAT) for each activity on file.
”After implementation of e-filing, efficiency has improved multifold. Routine work is being done within given time frame. Even work that needs deliberation and policy decision also gets on a fast track,” said an IAS officer.
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.
