PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Anand Bardhan, the senior most officer of Uttarakhand cadre of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) assumed charge as the 19th chief secretary of the State on Monday. He took charge from the outgoing CS Radha Raturi at the State secretariat.
Interacting with the mediapersons after taking over the charge of CS, Bardhan said that successful implementation of schemes and policies of the government is the priority of the State administration. He listed increasing livelihood opportunities which includes employment generation, skill development and reverse migration as one of his major priorities.
He said that infrastructure development is important for the development of the State. The new CS added that increasing urbanisation and the health sector are major challenges for the State government. Consistent efforts are needed to improve the urban centres and provide better health care facilities. Bardhan said that water conservation is also a major issue as the entire world is witnessing the problem of water scarcity.
On the question of the financial health of the State the CS said that the efforts to find new sources of income should be consistently made.
Bardhan added that he would endeavour to ensure better work culture in the State administration.
The outgoing CS Radha Raturi was the first women CS of Uttarakhand. She was originally scheduled to retire on March 31 last year but the Dhami government granted her two back to back extensions of six months each.
The new CS Bardhan is an officer of 1992 batch of IAS. He has worked as district magistrate of Rampur, Etawah, Pauri, Nainital and Haridwar districts.
He has also served as joint managing director of Uttar Pradesh cooperative federation limited and general manager of UP Finance Corporation.
Bardhan has served as secretary and principal secretary of many departments including Food and Civil supplies, Irrigation, Mining, Sainik Kalyan, Excise, Higher Education and others. Before his elevation, Bardhan served in the post of additional chief secretary in the Uttarakhand government. He is scheduled to retire in 2027.
