Sandip Pradhan's tenure as SAI DG ends, sports secretary Sujata handed additional charge

 Sandip Pradhan's tenure as Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director General ended on Monday after more than five years at the helm of affairs of the body and he was "relieved" from the post by the government.

Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of SAI DG with effect from October 1.

"Consequent upon completion of his central deputation tenure, Shri Sandip Pradhan ..... DG Sports Authority of India is relieved of his charge in SAI w.e.f. 30.09.2024," an official order of the sports ministry said.

"... the competent authority has approved the entrustment of additional charge of the post of DG SAI to Smt. Sujata Chaturvedi, Secretary (Sports) w.e.f. 01.10.2024, and till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier," it added.

The Vadodara-born Pradhan, an IIT -Kanpur graduate, will report to his parent cadre after two months of end of tenure leave (earned leave), which he had requested.

The 57-year-old Pradhan, an Indian Revenue Service Officer of the 1990 batch, was first appointed as SAI DG in July 2019, being promoted from deputy DG, replacing Neelam Kapoor who retired.

In May 2020, his tenure was extended by two years, up to July 6, 2022.

In 2022, he was granted another tenure extension of more than two years till September 30, 2024.

Pradhan was appointed deputy DG of SAI in 2017.

Before his appointment at the SAI, Pradhan had worked as director general of the Sports Authority of Gujarat for four years (2013-17). He has also earlier served as Khelo India CEO.

Earlier, he had worked as additional commissioner Income tax in Pune and as a Mumbai income tax commissioner.

Chaturvedi, who was appointed to the post of sports secretary in 2021, is a 1989 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.