In an unexpected turn of events, Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena has been granted a six-month extension, just days before his scheduled retirement on March 31. The decision caught many off guard, including the Himachal IAS Officers Association, which had already organised a farewell for him on Friday night.
The farewell dinner turned into a moment of revelation when Saxena himself announced his extension, stunning his colleagues and senior bureaucrats. Sources confirmed that the official letter approving the extension had been received from the Union Department of Personnel and Training, marking a last-minute shift in the administrative landscape of the state.
Saxena, a 1990-batch IAS officer, was appointed as the Chief Secretary on January 2, 2023. With his tenure extended, the ongoing competition for his successor has effectively been put on pause. Senior officials who were in the running for the top bureaucratic post will now have to wait at least six more months before the baton is passed.
Interestingly, preparations for Saxena’s farewell were in full swing, with a traditional cap and muffler—symbols of honour in Himachal—set to be presented to him after the cabinet meeting. However, with the extension news breaking, these ceremonial items were promptly sent back, symbolizing a dramatic shift in plans.
What Lies Ahead?
While the extension ensures continuity in the state’s top administrative position, it also raises questions about the long-term succession strategy within the bureaucracy. The sudden decision hints at strategic governance priorities that might have influenced the extension, making Saxena’s extended tenure a topic of much discussion in political and bureaucratic circles.
For now, Prabodh Saxena continues at the helm, navigating Himachal Pradesh’s governance with his experience and leadership, while the state’s bureaucracy adjusts to this unexpected development.
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