Major Administrative Reshuffle in Himachal: DCs of 3 Districts Transferred, Several IAS Officers Reassigned

Shimla, April 27:
In a significant administrative shake-up, the Himachal Pradesh government announced the transfer and new postings of several IAS officers on Sunday. According to a notification issued by the Department of Personnel, these changes take immediate effect.

The Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of Lahaul-Spiti, Sirmaur, and Bilaspur districts have been changed. Rahul Kumar, previously the DC of Lahaul-Spiti, has been appointed as the DC of Bilaspur. Abid Hussain Sadiq, the current DC of Bilaspur, will now serve as the Managing Director of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation. Rakesh Kumar Prajapati, who was holding additional charge of this post, has been relieved of these responsibilities.

Kiran Bhadana has been appointed as the new DC of Lahaul-Spiti, marking her first posting as a Deputy Commissioner. Meanwhile, Priyanka Verma, Director of the National Health Mission, will take over as the new DC of Sirmaur — her first assignment in the role as well.

Key Changes Involving IAS Officers:

• Dr. Nipun Jindal (2014 batch), currently Director of AYUSH, has been appointed as Director of Digital Technologies and Governance, while retaining additional charge as Managing Director of HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation).

• Rohit Jamwal (2014 batch) has been shifted from Special Secretary (Finance) and Director of Treasuries, Lotteries, and HP Financial Corporation to Director of AYUSH.

• Pradeep Kumar Thakur, Settlement Officer for Shimla Division, has been appointed as Mission Director of the National Health Mission, Himachal Pradesh.

• Reema Kashyap (2015 batch) has been made Director of Language and Culture and will also hold additional charge as Secretary of the Academy of Art and Culture.

• Sumit Khimta, former DC of Sirmaur, has been appointed as Director of the Department of Empowerment of Scheduled Castes, OBCs, and Minorities.

• Zaffar Iqbal has been transferred from Commissioner of Dharamshala Municipal Corporation and CEO-cum-MD of the Smart City Project to Managing Director of the Kangra Cooperative Bank, Dharamshala. Aditya Negi, who was holding additional charge of this position, has been relieved.

• Dr. Pankaj Lalit (2018 batch) has been transferred from Director of Language, Art, and Culture to Director of Women and Child Development.

• Ritika has been appointed Commissioner of Dharamshala Municipal Corporation and will also serve as the head of the Smart City Project.

Among the newly inducted IAS officers:

• Omkant Thakur has been appointed as Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Bilaspur.

• Abhishek Kumar Garg has been appointed ADC of Mandi.

• Vijay Vardhan, who was awaiting posting, has been appointed Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh School Education Board, Dharamshala.

• Rupinder Kaur has been posted as SDM Mandi.

• Rajdeep Singh has been posted as SDM Bilaspur.