In a move that surprised many in the state’s top echelons, Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena (IAS:1990:HP), who was set to retire on March 31, has been granted a six-month extension.
Saxena’s exit was considered so certain that the Himachal IAS Officers Association hosted a farewell dinner for him on Friday night. It was during the event that Saxena personally announced his extension, catching many attendees off guard.
Earlier in the evening, a symbolic cap and muffler, meant as a farewell gift after a state cabinet meeting, were promptly returned following confirmation of his continued tenure.
Reports suggest that the extension letter from the Union Department of Personnel and Training arrived earlier on Friday.
LegendOfficers.com had previously reported that Saxena had applied for the position of RERA Chairman, signalling his imminent departure. Four senior IAS officers with over 30 years of experience were speculated as his possible successors: Sanjay Sharma (IAS:1988:HP), Kamlesh Kumar Pant (IAS:1993:HP), Anuradha Thakur (IAS:1994:HP), and Onkar Chand Sharma (IAS:1994:HP). Pant and Sharma were widely regarded as frontrunners for the role.
With Saxena’s extension, the race for the next Chief Secretary has been temporarily put on hold. Saxena, who was appointed to the position on January 2, 2023, will now continue in the role for an additional six months.
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