Senior IAS officer of 1981 batch Rajiv Kumar has been appointed as new Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. Kumar takes place of Rahul Bhatnagar, who has been shifted to Noida as chairman Greater Noida  Authority along with Investment Commissioner based in New Delhi.

Kumar was Union secretary shipping and was relieved from Central deputation following request from the Yogi Government. He had given his joining on Wednesday.

While interacting with the reporters after taking charge he said that his first priority will be that the DMs and the SPs should work together to ensure speedy development of the state as well as work in arresting the crime rate.

“The mantra of admintsration is simple. Use law to help people and needy. There are many schemes which have been launched for the welfare of people. Implement those schemes in letter and in spirit,” Kumar said. 

It is after three months Chief Minister Yogi Adtyanath has changed his Chief Secretary. Rahul Bhatnagar was appointed as Chief Secretary during previous regime. The BJP had leveled allegations against Bhatnagar with Election Commission during polls saying Chief Secretary was acting as Samajwadi Party worker. Despite that aggression he continued as Chief Secretary. 

Kumar along with Chief Secretary will also assume the post of Principal resident commissioner of New Delhi.

An upright officer, Kumar has held various important posts in the state and at the Central government. 

He was considered a front runner for chief secretary’s post ever since installation of the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in the state on March 19. His name for this coveted post was taking round for last many weeks.

Meanwhile the UP government has relived Commissioner Meerut and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority chairman Prabhat Kumar from chairman Greater Noida Authority while  CEO Noida Authority Devasheesh Panda was relieved from the post of Investment Commissioner.