Mumbai: From being out in the cold to the hot seat of power, Sarvesh Kaushal’s appointment as chief secretary highlights the dilemma of the Parkash Singh Badal government in Punjab, which has been buffeted by accusations of “non-performance”.
It is hoped that appointing Mr Kaushal to replace Rakesh Singh, who has proceeded on leave, will send the signal that the government is keen to shed that image.
Mr Kaushal, a 1982-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, is considered a tough administrator and until recently was considered out of contention for the big posts.
Sources say that his rehabilitation began when Mr Badal appointed him principal secretary for irrigation, where he was quite successful.
However, Mr Kaushal’s elevation to the top post has shattered the hopes of many other contenders.
Also,he superseded officers like Sujata Dass, Kusumjit Sidhu, Himmat Singh and Anjuly Chib Duggal.
How much of a gamechanger he will be remains to be seen, but many hopes are resting on him to put the state administration back on track.
