A change in the political disposition in a state is often followed by a bureaucratic restructuring. But it does not take place immediately. This is what has emerged after former bureaucrat Deepak Kumar (IAS:1984:BH) was removed from the post of Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.
It bears significance as many changes have taken place in Bihar after the BJP govt took charge, but one figure remained in place through the entire transition: Deepak Kumar. He had been former CM Nitish Kumar’s Principal Secretary and continued to serve in that capacity to the new CM, Samrat Choudhary. But Deepak Kumar is no more in that role now.
He has now been appointed vice-chairman of the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority.
This is more than a routine administrative transfer as Kumar has been a seasoned bureaucrat having been appointed Bihar’s Chief Secretary in June 2018. After receiving two extensions, he remained in the post until February 2021. Following his retirement, he was appointed Principal Secretary to then CM Nitish Kumar.
That is why govt’s decision raises questions: why was Deepak Kumar suddenly moved out of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat?
The government has not yet given an obvious reason. As he has been assigned responsibility at the Disaster Management Authority, it would not be appropriate to describe the government’s move as punitive at this point.
But the question is significant, however, because Deepak Kumar has long been regarded as one of Nitish Kumar’s trusted officials. Keeping him on in the CMO even after his retirement in 2021 was itself a sign of the government’s confidence in him.
There were also allegations about his family members, including his wife’s appointment to the State Woman Commission. But these allegations are yet to be established with reports of differing responses from the people concerned.
It is therefore not necessary to assume that these allegations explain Deepak Kumar’s removal. The real question is whether the Samrat Choudhary government wants to shape the Chief Minister’s Office entirely around his own administrative approach and his preferred team of officers.
It seems to be a plausible reason, as many changes have been made in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat after power changed hands. In May, some senior officials associated with Nitish Kumar’s tenure were moved out of the CMO and given new assignments. Despite that, Deepak Kumar remained in the Secretariat. So, his removal now may be seen as a more consequential administrative signal than an ordinary reshuffle.
At the same time, it would be premature to link Deepak Kumar’s removal to political pressure or any other specific cause at this juncture.
Get Latest Updates