With Rajasthan Chief Secretary DB Gupta (IAS:1993:RJ) set to hang up his boots in September later this year, two women IAS seem to be emerging as prime contenders. Should any of them make it to the coveted post; Rajasthan would see a second woman hold this top position.
One of them is 1985 batch IAS Usha Sharma, who is currently on deputation as a secretary in the ministry of youth affairs and sports at the Centre.
The second is Venu Gupta, a 1987-batch IAS currently holding the post of Additional Chief Secretary, PWD.
Both of them have powerful connections. Sharma is the sister-in-law of Assembly speaker CP Joshi while Gupta is wife of incumbent Gupta.
Both of them have three years left in their service. Sharma is senior to Gupta by two years.
Gupta has been holding important positions in both BJP and congress regimes. If she is able to succeed her husband, it will be the first such case in Rajasthan.
