The race for the national capital’s chief secretary has become interesting, with Satya Gopal (IAS:1988:AGMUT) being the front runner and Goa’s current Chief Secretary, Parimal Rai (IAS:1985:AGMUT) also in the fray. The incumbent Delhi Chief Secretary, Vijay Kumar Dev (IAS:1987:AGMUT) is to be shifted to the Centre.
As per our reliable sources, Satya Gopal, presently additional chief secretary of Delhi is most likely to replace Vijay Kumar Dev, the incumbent Delhi Chief Secretary. Gopal is considered close to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and also enjoys good rapport with Chief Minister Arvind Kerjiwal.
According to some senior bureaucrats, Gopal may emerge as a consensus candidate for this top post. They, however, said that current New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) chairman Dharmendra (IAS:1989:AGMUT) and his predecessor Naresh Kumar (IAS:1987:AGMUT) might also be considered for the job.
Another name of a senior IAS officer of AGMUT cadre, doing the rounds is Manoj Kumar Parida (IAS:1986:AGMUT). He is Adviser to Chandigarh Administrator at present. Parida served in different capacities in the Kejriwal government in its previous term.
