Upma named IAS academy director

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 24

A 1983 batch Himachal IAS officer, Upma Chawdhry has been appointed Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie by the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT), New Delhi.

Chawdhry had been on leave after she along with husband, Vineet Chawdhry, also an IAS officer, had been ignored in the selection of Chief Secretary on May 31 earlier this year. The Chawdhry couple, both holding Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) rank, proceeded on medical leave for some time and were currently on study leave.

The two have been sore as Pharka (1982), junior to both, was chosen for the top administrative post. Vineet, a 1982 post IAS officer, along with Deepak Sanan and Ajay Mittal, of the same batch were superseded to make Pharka the Chief Secretary. The senior most IAS officer in the state, Sanan, too has been on leave since Pharka was made Chief Secretary. Next in seniority was Ajay Mittal, who has proceeded on a Central deputation and is holding the post of Secretary, Information and Broadcasting.

Upma had already been empanelled as Secretary in the Centre and was awaiting her posting at the Centre. However, Vineet is still awaiting his empanelment as Secretary.

Upma has held several important assignments in various departments during her tenure in the state and Delhi. Considered a dynamic and able officer, she is the first officer from Himachal to head the prestigious academy which trains IAS probationers.