D J Pandian is new Gujarat chief secretary

Pandian will takeover charge from outgoing chief secretary Varesh Sinha from Oct 31

In a major reshuffle in state administration, the Gujarat government today elevated 1981-batch IAS officer D J Pandian as the chief secretary of the state, superseding senior most bureaucrat of 1978-batch S K Nanda, who has been posted as chairman and managing director state-run PSU Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals (GSFC) Ltd. Nanda is currently additional chief secretary (ACS), home in the state government.

Pandian, who is holding charge of ACS, industries and mines department, will takeover charge from outgoing chief secretary Varesh Sinha from October 31. Sinha a 1977-batch IAS was on extension after retirement on April 30, 2014. He was given first extension in April and later in June till October 31. Sinha took over as chief secretary on January 31, 2013.

Before taking over as ACS industries early this year, Pandian was heading the very important energy and petrochemicals department of the state government. Prior to that the bureaucrat from Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district served as the chief executive officer of Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) and its group companies for over eight years. He is considered instrumental in building GSPC into a major player in oil and gas sector having presence in the entire value chain of hydro carbon sector.

Pandian was at the helm of affairs when GSPC developed an extensive gas grid network for transmission & distribution of natural gas throughout Gujarat. Considered to be the man behind robust city gas distribution systems in various districts of Gujarat, Pandian was also instrumental in setting up of Indian largest solar power park in Charanka, Patan.

Among other transfers made today, GSFC managing director, Atanu Chakraborty has been posted as principal secretary industries and mines department. He will also hold additional charge of managing director GSPC Ltd which was till now held by Pandian.

ACS urban development and urban housing department G K Aloria will hold the additional charge of home department following transfer of Nanda. Vice chairman and managing director of Gujarat Industries Development Corporation (GIDC) B B Swain has been given additional charge of Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC).

Also, ACS revenue department J N Singh has been given additional charge of commissioner of land reforms. K N Bhatt posted as commissioner of land reforms has been transferred as CEO and rehabilitation commissioner Sardar Sarovar Rehabilitation Agency.