Lucknow: In a major bureaucratic shake-up, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav yesterday removed Chief Secretary Jawed Usmani and appointed Alok Ranjan to the post.
Usmani, considered close to the chief minister’s father and Samajawadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, had sought permission to go on central deputation, said informed sources.
Made the chief secretary in 2012 soon after the Samajwadi Party (SP) formed the government in the state after a huge victory in the assembly polls, the suave Usmani, however, failed to inspire the bureaucracy and despite a two-year stint, officials failed to deliver, leading to his falling from the grace of the SP leadership in the state.
Alok Ranjan, a 1978 batch officer, is known for being a media-friendly official who has served as secretary to three chief ministers in the past.
Currently the agriculture production commissioner, Alok Ranjan, soon after taking over as the state’s top bureaucrat, said that his first priority would be to motivate officials.
“We have some very good officials and they would now be directed to work for the welfare of the state,” he added.
On being asked what were his priorities, Alok Ranjan said that he would need some time to settle down and discuss issues with the officials.
IANS
