A Venu Prasad (IAS:1991:PB), the Additional Chief Secretary to Punjab Chief Minister, retired from his position on Monday, creating a significant void in the state bureaucracy that has proven difficult for the government to fill. While an extension for the retiring IAS officer was anticipated but now it appears that such a reappointment is now unlikely.
In the days leading up to his retirement, Prasad diligently cleared his office of all pending files and was given a farewell party to mark his departure. These actions have further diminished the chances of his reappointment in some other capacity within the government.
Officials with knowledge of the situation have indicated that if an extension or a fresh appointment is not forthcoming soon, the administration will have no choice but to redistribute Prasad’s responsibilities among other officers in the Chief Minister’s Office.
In the bureaucratic circles, there have been murmurs about another IAS officer, KAP Sinha (IAS:1992:PB), the current Financial Commissioner (Development), being considered for the coveted post in the Chief Minister’s Office.
