Madhya Pradesh awaits decision on Chief Secretary

After the Madhya Pradesh legislative assembly elections, attention is now focused on the appointment of the next Chief Secretary, with the current Chief Secretary, Iqbal Singh Bains, set to retire on November 29.

The counting of votes for the state’s 230 seats is scheduled for December 3. Bains has already received two six-month extensions, and with the Model Code of Conduct in effect, the Election Commission is expected to make a decision on the matter.

The Shivraj government has reportedly proposed another extension for Bains, though official confirmation is pending. Speculation in the IAS lobby suggests that the Centre may express disagreement with granting Bains another extension this time.

Before Bains received his second extension in May 2023, discussions in the central government involved the names of Ajay Tirkey and Anurag Jain. However, with Tirkey’s retirement in December 2023, and Jain’s scheduled retirement in August 2025, they are not likely candidates.

Among the senior IAS officers, Sanjay Bandyopadhyay and Veera Rana are more senior than Anurag Jain. Bandyopadhyay is currently stationed in the central government, while Rana serves as the Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Secondary Education Board. If a stationed senior IAS officer is chosen as Chief Secretary during the election process, Rana’s name may be at the forefront.

There is a possibility that a senior officer could be appointed temporarily based on seniority until the formation of the new government. Names such as Veera Rana, Dr. Rajesh Rajoura, S.N. Mishra, Malay Shrivastav, Anurag Jain, Mo. Suleman, Ashish Upadhyay, Rajiv Ranjan, Vinod Kumar, J.N. Kansotiya, and A.K. Rai are being considered.

The Election Commission’s decision on the Chief Secretary’s appointment will likely be made with considerations for the Model Code of Conduct and the imminent formation of the new Vidhan Sabha in early December.