The power corridors in the national capital are abuzz with speculation over who will succeed Naresh Kumar (IAS:1987:AGMUT) as the next Chief Secretary of Delhi, as his extended tenure is set to expire on August 31. One name that is prominently circulating is that of Puneet Kumar Goel (IAS:1991:AGMUT), an AGMUT cadre IAS officer, currently serving as the Chief Secretary of Goa. Goel has held this position since February 1, 2022, following the retirement of Parimal Rai (IAS:1984:AGMUT).
While Goel is a strong contender, several other names have made the race more interesting. Renu Sharma (IAS:1988:AGMUT), currently Chief Secretary of Mizoram, ranks third in seniority among the officers in the cadre, following Naresh Kumar and Chetan Bhushan Sanghi (IAS:1988:AGMUT), who is serving as Financial Commissioner, GNCTD.
Dharmendra (IAS:1989:AGMUT), the current Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh, and Amit Yadav (IAS:1991:AGMUT), Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, are also in the running.
Additionally, Manish Gupta (IAS:1991:AGMUT), Additional Chief Secretary, Land & Buildings, Industries & Labour Department, is among the potential successors.
Naresh Kumar has been serving as the Chief Secretary of Delhi since April 2022. Before his scheduled retirement on November 30, 2023, the AAP government had filed a plea in the Supreme Court against any move by the Centre to appoint, without any consultation with it, the new chief secretary or extend the tenure of Kumar after the due date of his retirement.
The Supreme Court in its order had upheld the Centre’s decision to extend Kumar’s tenure by six months, observing it cannot be said to be violative of law or constitutional distribution of powers between the Union and the Delhi government. His first extension was granted on 30 November 2023, followed by another in May 2024, extending his service until August 31.
