Who is Senior IAS Officer Dharmendra Appointed as Chief Secretary of Delhi Government?

New Delhi: Senior IAS officer Dharmendra has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of the Delhi government, effective September 1. 

Dharmendra, a 1989-batch officer of the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, will succeed Naresh Kumar, whose tenure ends on August 31. Kumar had previously received two extensions from the central government.

Dharmendra, who currently serves as the Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh, hails from Delhi and has a substantial background in the city's administration. He has previously held key positions, including divisional commissioner of the Capital, roles in the urban development department, and service in both the Delhi Municipal Corporation and the New Delhi Municipal Council.

His appointment comes amid strained relations between the bureaucracy and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi. Recent clashes have occurred between senior officers and ministers over issues such as waterlogging, de-silting of drains, tree felling in South Delhi, and staffing vacancies in Delhi government hospitals.

Naresh Kumar, appointed as Chief Secretary on April 21, 2022, retired on November 30, 2023. He was subsequently granted a six-month extension, followed by a three-month extension that concludes on August 31, due to Lok Sabha elections.