Jharkhand News: Chief Secretary L. Khiangte Likely to Receive Extension Amid Jharkhand IAS Shortage

Ranchi, October 28, 2024: The Jharkhand government has submitted a formal proposal to the Election Commission, seeking a three-month extension for Chief Secretary L. Khiangte, whose retirement date is approaching on October 31, 2024. The proposal comes amid an acute shortage of senior IAS officers in Jharkhand, furthering discussions on administrative continuity within the state’s governance structure.

Proposal Sent for L. Khiangte’s Extension as Chief Secretary

The extension request by the Jharkhand government aims to retain L. Khiangte’s leadership beyond his scheduled retirement. L. Khiangte, a 1988-batch IAS officer, is seen as a stabilizing force in the state’s administration, particularly given the ongoing transitions within the government’s executive structure. This proposal now awaits the Election Commission’s response, which holds significance as the state prepares for the upcoming assembly elections.

Jharkhand Facing IAS Officer Shortage

Jharkhand is currently experiencing a marked shortage of IAS officers. Of the 224 IAS positions sanctioned for the state, only 170 are currently filled, leaving a deficit of 54 officials. This shortfall has placed additional responsibilities on existing officials, especially within the top ranks. Within 2023 alone, several senior IAS officials have retired, including Rajiv Gauba, N. N. Sinha, Sukhdev Singh, Mukhmit Singh Bhatia, A.K.G. Rahate, Surendra Singh and Rajiv Arun Ekka, impacting key areas of state administration.

Senior Officials Approaching Retirement in Jharkhand

The proposed extension for Khiangte also reflects the need to address gaps left by retiring senior officials. Upcoming retirements among high-ranking IAS officers include prominent names such as Alka Tiwari (scheduled for retirement on September 30, 2025), Shailesh Singh (March 31, 2026), Nidhi Khare (February 28, 2028) and Avinash Kumar (August 31, 2029). This chain of retirements has escalated the need for experienced personnel within Jharkhand’s administrative ranks.

Excise Department Officials Also Face Staffing Concerns

In addition to the shortage in the IAS cadre, Jharkhand’s excise department has also been impacted by the retirement of several promotee IAS officers this year, such as Sunil Kumar, Ravi Ranjan Mishra, Indu Rani, Sanjay Bihari Ambast, Alok Trivedi, Sanjay Sinha, Anil Singh, Dinesh Chandra Das, Gayatri Kumari, Anjani Dubey, Arvind Kumar and Anil Kumar. Furthermore, Amit Prakash and Raju Ranjan Rai, both promotee IAS officers, are set to retire by the end of December 2024.

Awaiting the Election Commission’s Decision

The Election Commission’s decision on the extension proposal is anticipated to impact Jharkhand’s governance strategy significantly, especially as the assembly elections approach. The state government’s request underscores the broader challenges Jharkhand faces in sustaining an effective administrative framework under conditions of a staffing shortfall.

This proposed extension is part of a broader effort to maintain stability within Jharkhand’s governance, particularly within departments critical to state operations and election management. The upcoming decision will likely influence Jharkhand’s administrative planning and policy execution in the near term.