On Friday, the Bihar government announced a significant administrative reshuffle, transferring a total of 22 IAS officers, 79 IPS officers, and 45 Bihar Administrative Service officers. The transferred officers included five district magistrates (DMs) and 17 SPs. This restructuring occurs amidst heightened political developments in the state, with widespread speculation about Nitish Kumar considering a departure from the Mahagathbandhan and contemplating a return to the BJP.

According to a notification by the general administration department, Patna DM Chandrasekhar Singh, a 2010-batch IAS officer, has been made special secretary in the chief minister's secretariat. IAS Shirsat Kapil Ashok, who is the IG (Prisons), has been appointed as the new Collector of Patna. Singh was recently in the news for his war of letters with the state education department over the closure of schools in Patna in view of cold wave conditions. 

IAS Senthil K Kumar, who was the Principal Secretary (Home Department), has been posted as the new Principal Secretary of the Planning Department.

IAS Arvind Kumar Choudhary, who is the Principal Secretary (Finance) (1995-batch IAS officer), has been given the additional charge of Principal Secretary of the Rural Development Department.

Similarly, IAS Naval Kishor Choudhary, who was the Collector of Gopalganj, has been appointed as the Collector of Bhagalpur.

Bhagalpur Collector Subrat Kumar Sen has been given charge of Muzaffarpur.

IAS Safeena AN, who was the Principal Secretary (Minorities Welfare Department) has been appointed as a Member of Revenue Board.

The government notification stated that IPS Sushil Mansingh Khopde, who was posted as the Additional Director General (Operations) of the Special Task Force, has been appointed as ADG (Prohibition). IPS Amrit Raj (1998-batch IPS), who was the ADG (Prohibition), has been appointed as the ADG (Operations).

IPS officer Deepak Ranjan, who is the current Superintendent of Police of Jehanabad, has been transferred as the commandant of Bihar Special Armed Police, Bodh Gaya.

Superintendent of Police (Araria) Ashok Kumar Singh was appointed as the new commandant of Bihar Special Armed Police, Sasaram.

Similarly, Superintendent of Police Siwan Shailesh Kumar Sinha was appointed as the new Commandant of Bihar Special Armed Police, Patna).

Similarly, 45 officers belonging to the Bihar Administrative Service (BAS) have been reassigned to new postings.

A senior GAD official said that the transfers and postings made in the last few days were part of a routine exercise.

Image source: Hindustan Times