The Delhi government has carried out a major bureaucratic reshuffle involving 34 IAS and DANICS officers, redistributing responsibilities across several key departments. Among the major changes, Awanish Kumar, a 2014-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed Commissioner (Excise).
Kumar’s appointment comes as the government works towards finalising a new excise policy, which has remained pending for nearly four years. The reshuffle also includes changes in senior administrative positions and the allocation of additional responsibilities to several officers.
Awanish Kumar Appointed Excise Commissioner
Awanish Kumar (IAS: 2014: AGMUT) has been appointed Commissioner (Excise). He was previously serving as Director of Technical Training and Higher Education.
His new assignment places him at the head of the Excise Department as the government works on the proposed policy framework for the sector.
Senior IAS Officers Get New Responsibilities
The reshuffle includes changes across social welfare, power, health, transport and other departments.
Bipul Pathak (IAS: 1992: AGMUT) has been appointed Additional Chief Secretary (Social Welfare), with the additional charge of Financial Commissioner.
Prashant Goyal (IAS: 1993: AGMUT) has been appointed Additional Chief Secretary (Power). He will also hold additional responsibilities as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Delhi State Civil Supplies Corporation (DSCSC) and for administrative reforms.
Navin Kumar Choudhary (IAS: 1994: AGMUT) has been assigned the portfolios of Additional Chief Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) and the General Administration Department (GAD).
Changes in Culture, Transport and Tourism
Several other officers have received new assignments or additional charges.
K. Mahesh (IAS: 2009: AGMUT) has been appointed Secretary (Art, Culture and Language), with additional charge as Managing Director of the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board (DKVIB).
Niharika Rai (IAS: 2005: AGMUT) will continue as Transport Commissioner and has also been assigned additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).
Arti Lal Sharma (IAS: 2010: AGMUT) has been given additional charge of the Tourism Department.
DANICS Officers Also Included in Reshuffle
The administrative changes also cover 12 DANICS officers, including Harminder Singh, Deepak Pundir and Harshit Jain.
The reshuffle reallocates responsibilities across several departments of the Delhi administration, combining changes in senior leadership with additional assignments for serving officers.
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Excise Policy Remains a Key Focus
Awanish Kumar’s appointment as Excise Commissioner is among the prominent changes in the latest exercise. The department is expected to play an important role as the government works towards finalising its new excise policy.
The wider reshuffle also affects administration across social welfare, power, health, transport, culture and tourism, marking a significant realignment of responsibilities within the Delhi government.