In a significant administrative move, the seasoned 1991 batch senior IAS officer, L K Atheeq, has assumed the role of Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Mr. Siddaramaiah. Mr. Atheeq brings a wealth of experience and a diverse portfolio to his new position.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Atheeq has served in various key positions, including CEO of a District Government (Zilla Panchayat), District Magistrate in two districts, Director of Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation at the state level, and State Project Director of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for All Campaign). Notably, he also worked as a Director in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) at the national level and represented India on the Board of the World Bank Group in Washington DC at the international level.
Additionally, Mr. Atheeq previously worked as the Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, offering crucial advice on senior and middle management staffing, as well as government policies and programs.
Furthermore, his extensive background includes serving as a Government nominee on various boards, including the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd., Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd., Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., Information Technology Parks Ltd., and several Irrigation companies. Mr. Atheeq also held the position of Principal Secretary and, subsequently, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Rural Development & Panchayat Raj department for an impressive five-year tenure.
Notably, Mr. Atheeq is deeply committed to education and health policy and governance reform. During his tenure in the PMO, he played a significant role in the transformation of education into a fundamental right, the expansion of higher education, and the revitalization of the Integrated Child Development Services, the establishment of the National Health Mission, and the enactment of the Food Security Law.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Mr. Atheeq enjoys various interests, including films, books, music, poetry, travel, and food.
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Mr. Atheeq’s appointment comes as a replacement for Dr. Rajneesh Goel, an IAS officer of the 1986 batch, who has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Karnataka. Dr. Goel will take over the responsibilities from the outgoing Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma, who is set to retire on November 30. Dr. Goel had previously held the post of Additional Chief Secretary in the Home Department.
