C S Rajan to hold additional charge of chief secy in poll-bound Rajasthan

JAIPUR: The Election Commission has approved the name of senior IAS officer C S Rajan for taking up the additional charge of Chief Secretary in poll-bound Rajasthan.

Rajan, who is currently the Additional Chief Secretary in the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department, was selected from a panel of three officers by the EC last night, an official spokesman said today.

The other two IAS officers in the panel were B B Mohanty and Umrao Salodia.

Rajan will hold the additional charge which went vacant after Chief Secretary C K Mathew proceeded on a two-month leave following allegations levelled by opposition BJP.

The BJP had accused Mathew of favouring the ruling party ahead of the polls and had demanded his immediate transfer.

The party had also alleged "gross violation" of the Model Code of Conduct, saying the state machinery was being misused to popularise government's schemes by the Chief Secretary.

On October 18, the state government had sanctioned the leave application of Mathew who proceeded on leave till completion of the election process.

On the directions of the EC, the state government had to submit a panel of three IAS officers for the charge.