The power corridors of the national capital are abuzz with speculation over who will succeed Dharmendra Kumar (IAS:1989:AGMUT), the incumbent Chief Secretary of Delhi, as he demits office on September 30.
Four senior IAS officers are being talked about for the coveted post — Bipul Pathak (IAS:1992:AGMUT), Ashwani Kumar (IAS:1992:AGMUT), Punya Salila Srivastava (IAS:1993:AGMUT), and Vikram Dev Dutt (IAS:1993:AGMUT).
The September 17 reshuffle, which placed Bipul Pathak as Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary (Home), has added a fresh twist to the race. While the Home Department is one of Delhi’s most sensitive portfolios, the move is also being read in some quarters as a signal that Pathak may not be the eventual pick for Chief Secretary. Instead, the buzz in the capital’s power circles suggests that attention is steadily shifting towards Punya Salila Srivastava, the current Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare.
Srivastava holds the unique distinction of having served in both the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Ministry of Home Affairs, two of the most influential power centres in the government. This rare combination coupled with her reputation for competence, has strengthened her case in the gossip galleries of Delhi’s corridors of power.
Meanwhile, Ashwani Kumar, now Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), is also seen as a strong contender. With decades of service in the capital, he has handled critical roles including Home, Revenue, and Urban Governance, making him a familiar and tested hand in Delhi’s administration.
On the other hand, Vikram Dev Dutt, presently Secretary in the Ministry of Coal, brings with him a wide spectrum of experience. He has previously held key assignments in health, finance, and services, and is widely acknowledged for his administrative acumen and strategic leadership.
As the race tightens, it is Punya Salila Srivastava’s name that is being discussed most in the capital’s gossip galleries. Yet, seasoned observers caution that the Centre has often sprung surprises in such high-profile appointments — and it may well do so again this time.
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