The Punjab government has appointed senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Dr Ravi Bhagat as the Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. This appointment comes nearly four months after the retirement of V.K. Singh, who previously held the position of Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister. Since Singh’s retirement on November 30, the post has remained vacant in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

Dr. Ravi Bhagat, a 2006-batch IAS officer, had been serving as the Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister before his elevation. Alongside his new role, he will continue to hold additional responsibilities as the Administrative Secretary for the Public Works Department (Buildings & Roads) and Secretary of the Punjab Rural Development Board. His appointment is part of a broader administrative reshuffle within the state government.

Having assumed charge of his new role on Monday, Dr Bhagat was welcomed by senior government officials at the CMO. A seasoned bureaucrat with a distinguished career, he has served in multiple key administrative roles, bringing a wealth of experience to his new position.

Dr Bhagat holds a doctorate in Geopolitics of Minimum Support Price (MSP) and has been instrumental in implementing innovative strategies to enhance citizen-centric services. He began his career as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Malout from 2008 to 2009 before taking on roles as Deputy Commissioner in Faridkot, Amritsar, and Ludhiana. His tenure in these positions was marked by progressive administrative initiatives and public service reforms.

Beyond his district-level leadership, DDrBhagat has held significant positions such as Chief Administrator of the Punjab Urban Development Authority and Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), Secretary of the Mandi Board, CEO of e-Governance, Director of Public Relations, and Secretary of the New and Renewable Energy Resource Department. His administrative acumen has been particularly evident in his role as Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister since 2021, where he has been credited with several innovations in healthcare, education, social security, and digital governance.

One of Dr Bhagat’s most notable contributions was during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he played a pivotal role in streamlining public services and ensuring efficient delivery mechanisms. His efforts in crisis management earned widespread appreciation.

In addition to his administrative achievements, Dr. Bhagat has received numerous national and international accolades. His leadership facilitated two Guinness World Records: one in 2015 when 10,000 students participated in an anti-drug addiction campaign, and another in 2018 when 82 nationalities united to sing a song promoting peace.

After formally taking charge, Dr. Bhagat chaired a high-level meeting, emphasizing his commitment to implementing the pro-people and development-oriented policies of the Punjab government. He underscored that his top priority would be to ensure the effective execution of welfare schemes across critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and employment. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering citizen-centric services in a timely and efficient manner.

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Dr. Bhagat’s appointment is expected to bring renewed administrative efficiency and governance excellence to Punjab, reinforcing the state’s commitment to public welfare and development. His extensive experience and proactive approach to governance are anticipated to enhance the functioning of the Chief Minister’s Office and bolster the execution of key policy initiatives.

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