OSD not appointed; only 10 days to go for superannuation of CS
BHOPAL: There are barely 10 days to go for the retirement of the chief secretary Antony de Sa but it still not clear who will succeed him – or whether he would be given an extension in service.
De Sa is to retire on October 31 and normally, by this time, the government should have appointed his successor as OSD in the Mantralaya. The system is meant to ensure a seamless transfer of authority. But that has not been done to date.
It was expected that additional chief secretary, home, Basant Pratap Singh, who is said to be the key contender in the race for being the next CS, would be appointed as OSD. A bureaucrat close to Singh maintains that order appointing Singh as OSD would be issued after global investors summit (GIS).
It is also speculated that de Sa may be given an extension in service.
Meanwhile, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has not yet opened his cards on appointment of new CS. Chouhan has not held discussion on this matter so far. Chouhan, prior to appointing Avani Vaish, R Parashuram and Antony de Sa as CSs, had appointed them as OSDs first. This time Chouhan has not given any hint to even the officials of CM Secretariat about his plans.
There are two upcoming major events in the state in the current month in which CS would have to do follow up – the GIS and commissioner, collectors conference. The situation is leading to confusion in the Mantralaya.
