Change of Guard In Rajasthan: Chief Secretary Sees Extension But Second Option Is On Table

Chief Secretary Usha Sharma is scheduled to complete her extended tenure by this month's end. The change of guard in Rajasthan will obviously impact Rajasthan's bureaucracy, but interestingly, the chief secretary's case is a bit different. Sharma has been an impeccable and sagacious administrator. Top sources say that she has also had fine tenure in the centre as well, specifically her tenure as DG ASI, where she oversaw the restoration of the Natamandap of Jagannath Temple in Odisha and the conservation of the Jagamohan of Sun Temple in Konark. Considering her working style and efficiency, there is a possibility that Sharma may get a further extension till the Lok Sabha elections, and once everything gets settled, a new chief secretary will take over. The continuance of Sharma rests on the argument that double engine coordination is needed till the 2024 election; an officer who knows Delhi and the state well will go well for calculations that lie ahead for 2024. However, the second option- Shubhra Singh, IAS officer of the 1989 batch, currently ACS Health is under consideration as she too has good experience working in the centre and state as well from Joint Secretary of DIPPM to ACS Coordination and Health in the state but Singh has good two years in hand even if Sharma gets another six months, Shubhra will have comfortable watch and observable period to set her herself as Sharma successor next year. The picture will get clear in a few weeks, and if there is no hurry or changed mood, then we can expect no change at the Chief Secretary level.