The state government recommended the extension, citing the need for administrative continuity and Mr. Rastogi’s extensive experience in governance and finance.
THE NEWS DOSE DESK
Chandigarh, 20 June
The Haryana government has granted a one-year extension in service to Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, a 1990-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, whose retirement was due on June 30, 2025. The extension will now allow him to serve until June 30, 2026, subject to final approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Why the Extension?
The state government recommended the extension, citing the need for administrative continuity and Mr. Rastogi’s extensive experience in governance and finance. A formal request has been sent to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) and the ACC under Rule 16(1) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.
Officials stated that the government is currently implementing several high-priority infrastructure and digital governance projects, and Mr. Rastogi’s continued leadership is seen as crucial to their successful execution. Rastogi, who belongs to the Haryana cadre, has served in multiple key positions during his lengthy administrative career. These include the Additional Chief Secretary (Finance & Planning) and the Financial Commissioner (Revenue). He officially took over as Chief Secretary earlier this year, following the appointment of Vivek Joshi as an Election Commissioner.
Key Projects Under His Tenure
During his tenure, Rastogi has overseen and accelerated several key initiatives:
-
Gurgaon Metro Project
He intervened to resolve land acquisition bottlenecks in Gurugram, thereby expediting the extension of the metro line. -
Emergency Response System (ERSS 112)
Haryana is set to become the first state in India to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its emergency helpline system. Under his supervision, call handling efficiency and response times are being optimised. -
CCTNS Police Data Integration
He played a central role in improving the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), a flagship program of the Ministry of Home Affairs, aimed at modernising policing through digital record-keeping.
Political and Administrative Calculus
The extension comes amid high-level administrative reshuffling. Several other officers from the 1990 batch, including Sudhir Rajpal and Dr. Sumita Mishra, were seen as potential candidates for the top post. However, Rastogi’s seniority and ongoing project leadership appear to have tilted the balance in his favour.
Similar extensions have recently been granted to other senior IAS officers in various states, such as Manoj Ahuja in Odisha and Prabodh Saxena in Himachal Pradesh, setting a precedent.
Reactions Within the Bureaucracy
While the decision has not sparked any public controversy, sources indicate that some officers have informally raised concerns over “delayed promotions” and career stagnation. However, the state government has defended the move, citing Mr. Rastogi’s “uninterrupted institutional memory” and “project-based need for stability.”
What’s Ahead?
In the coming months, Mr. Rastogi is expected to oversee:
-
Completion of key urban infrastructure projects
-
Rollout of AI-integrated citizen services
-
Further digitisation in police, land, and revenue records
-
Preparations for Haryana’s Vision 2040 strategy plan
