Ajay Bhushan Pandey to replace Hasmukh Adhia as Revenue Secretary

Ajay Bhushan Pandey has played a key role in the rollout of the historic Goods and Services Tax (GST), He is now going to replace as the Revenue Secretary - top bureaucrat in the finance ministry - as Hasmukh Adhia would be retiring on November 30, 2018.

In recent changes made by the government, there are nine top level postings in a major bureaucratic reshuffle to fill vacancies. Another round of appointments are expected shortly to fill in the vacancies left behind by the officials covered by the latest appointments.

As per the order, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) chief executive officer Ajay Bhushan Pandey will succeed Hasmukh Adhia as revenue secretary, while Upma Chawdhry, Director of Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration will take over as secretary in the department of youth affairs.

As per sources, Adhia did not seek extension or any post retirement job, and as a yoga enthusiast, he is keen to pursue spirituality. Adhia in a series of tweets thanked Modi and Jaitley for their guidance and leadership and expressed gratitude to his officers and staff. During his four years in the finance ministry, Adhia was involved in most of the flagship programmes of the government. While Adhia was Financial Services Secretary, besides Mudra and Indradhanush, he played a key role in formulation of Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Atal Pension Scheme.
 

Sources said that Ajay Bhushan Pandey will continue to hold the additional charge of chief executive officer of the Authority and chairman of Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) for the time being.