Gujarat government appoints DJ Pandian as Chief Secretary

Ahmedabad: DJ Pandian, a 1981-batch IAS officer and holding the post of Additional Chief Secretary, was today appointed as the Chief Secretary (CS) by the Gujarat government.

He superseded senior most officer S K Nanda, a 1978-batch IAS officer.

The Gujarat Government has appointed 1981-batch IAS officer and current Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) D J Pandian, as Chief Secretary (CS), a government notification issued here today said.

Pandian, who would be 26th Chief Secretary of Gujarat, will take over from present chief secretary Varesh Sinha, who will retire tomorrow.

Sinha, a 1977 batch IAS officer, held this post since February 2013 and was given two extensions by the Gujarat state government, the notification stated.

Like Sinha, Pandian too is believed to be close to former Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and present Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.

However, the Gujarat state government sidestepped its senior most officer S K Nanda, while appointing the chief secretary.

The Gujarat state government has transferred as well as re-allocated duties of six other senior IAS officers including present Additional Chief Secretary for Home S K Nanda.

Nanda, who is a 1978-batch IAS officer, has now been shifted to Vadodara and appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals (GSFC) Ltd, replacing its current MD Atanu Chakraborty.

Chakraborty has been appointed as the Principal Secretary (PS) of the Industries and Mines Department in place of Pandian. Chakraborty has also given additional charge as MD of the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) Ltd, relieving Pandian from this additional charge, the notification stated.

Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) Vice Chairman and Managing Director B B Swain has been asked to hold additional charge as Managing Director of the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC), relieving Pandian from this additional charge, the notification stated.

Additional Chief Secretary of the State Urban Development and Urban Housing Department G R Aloria has been given the additional charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Home, the notification stated.

Commissioner of Land Reforms & Ex-Officio Secretary of the Revenue Department in Gandhinagar K N Bhatt has been transfered and appointed as Chief Executive Officer and Rehabilitation Commissioner of the Sardar Sarovar Punarvasvat Agency, Vadodara, the notification said.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department J N Singh will hold additional charge as Commissioner of Land Reforms until further orders, the notification stated.