Who is Vikas Sheel, the New Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Vikas Sheel is the new Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh.
- He succeeded Amitabh Jain after his retirement.
- Sheel's experience includes significant roles in public health and administration.
- A meeting with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai is forthcoming.
- The appointment is seen as crucial for the state's governance.
Raipur, Sep 25 (NationPress) In an important shift within the administrative framework, Vikas Sheel, a senior IAS officer from the 1994 batch, has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh. This change comes as Amitabh Jain, an officer from the 1989 batch, retires after a commendable career serving the state.
The official announcement from the General Administration Department was made on Thursday, confirming Sheel’s rise to the top bureaucratic position in the state.
With a wealth of experience in governance and public administration, Sheel’s appointment is anticipated to foster both continuity and renewed vigor in Chhattisgarh’s administrative structure.
Throughout his career, Vikas Sheel has occupied significant roles at both state and national levels.
Most recently, he was the Executive Director (India) at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila.
His return to India was facilitated by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), allowing him to take on the Chief Secretary role.
Before this, he served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, where he played a pivotal role in formulating national health strategies and coordinating India’s response to the pandemic.
An engineer by profession, Sheel holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
His extensive career includes influential positions as District Collector in Koriya, Bilaspur, and Raipur, along with key roles in Education, Food, General Administration, and Health within the Chhattisgarh Secretariat.
Additionally, he served as Mission Director for the Jal Jeevan Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, contributing significantly to rural water supply initiatives.
The outgoing Chief Secretary, Amitabh Jain, retired after a long and lauded career in public service, marked by strategic planning, infrastructure enhancement, and adept crisis management, particularly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
This transition takes place at a critical juncture as Chhattisgarh gears up to tackle legislative and developmental challenges under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
A meeting between the Chief Minister and the newly appointed Chief Secretary is expected shortly to outline essential governance objectives.
Senior officials have expressed their support for Sheel’s appointment, highlighting his profound understanding of both state-level intricacies and central coordination. His leadership is anticipated to steer Chhattisgarh’s administrative agenda in the coming years.