The Uttar Pradesh government submitted a request to the central government, about two weeks ago, seeking a service extension for Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, approval of which is still pending.
The delay has fueled widespread speculation among UP’s political circles.
Sources close to the administration suggest that uncertainty looms over Singh’s service extension, with the chances of approval appearing slim. If the extension is not granted, a major bureaucratic reshuffle is expected in the state.
Manoj Kumar Singh is set to retire on July 31, and the state government is awaiting the Centre’s approval. However, some sources indicate that any communication regarding the extension may come only on July 31, leaving the matter in suspense for now.
Singh, a 1988-batch IAS officer, was appointed Chief Secretary on June 30, 2024, following the retirement of Durga Shankar Mishra, who had received a two-and-a-half-year extension.
Sources revealed that the state government has highlighted Singh’s contributions to industrial and infrastructure development, including efforts to achieve the trillion-dollar economy target. The letter also mentions the upcoming Global Investors Summit and groundbreaking ceremonies scheduled for later this year.
An official said, “In 2019, then Chief Secretary Anup Chandra Pandey was granted a six-month extension due to the investors’ summit.”
Singh currently holds several key positions, including Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner, Chairman of Pradeshiya Industrial & Investment Corporation Of Uttar Pradesh Limited (PICUP), CEO of Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and UP State Highways Authority (UPSHA), and Project Director of UP Diversified Agriculture Support Project (UP-DASP).
Previously, he has served as Commissioner of Urban Development, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and Agricultural Production. The anticipated bureaucratic reshuffle at the top level in the state will depend on the Centre’s decision regarding his extension.