Sarvesh Kaushal appointed Chief Secretary of Punjab

Punjab government today appointed 1982-batch IAS officer Sarvesh Kaushal as the new Chief Secretary of the state.
A notification regrading the appointment of Kaushal, who is the Principal Secretary (Irrigation), was issued today, a spokesman said.
Kaushal replaces Rakesh Singh, who has gone on two-week leave, the spokesman said, adding that Singh is likely to proceed on Central deputation.
Singh is a 1978-batch senior-most IAS officer of the state.
Besides being the new CS, Kaushal will also be Principal Secretary (Personnel, General Administration and Vigilance) and also hold the charge of Principal Secretary (Irrigation) till further orders, the spokesman said.

On return from leave, Singh will continue to hold the charge of Principal Resident Commissioner, Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi, for coordinating National-e-Governance Project till further orders, the spokesman said.

Singh was picked up by Parkash Singh Badal for the post of CS on the very first day he took oath as the Chief Minister of the state for his second consecutive term in March 2012.
Singh's superannuation is due on September 30, 2015, the spokesman said.
Kaushal had earlier served as Deputy Commissioner in Hoshiarpur and Faridkot and he is also the President of Punjab IAS Officer's Association.
He has also served as Principal Secretary to Badal from 1998 to 2002.