Delhi Reshuffles Senior IAS Officers as Health Department Sees Leadership Change

NEW DELHI: The Delhi administration has redistributed several important departmental responsibilities among senior IAS officers, with the Health Department undergoing a change in leadership at a time when questions over government hospital purchases remain under investigation.

Prashant Goyal, a 1993-batch officer, has been entrusted with additional responsibility for the Health Department.

Rupesh Kumar Thakur has been relieved of his duties as Health Secretary, according to officials who announced the latest administrative changes on Thursday.

The health portfolio has attracted attention amid an Anti-Corruption Branch investigation into alleged irregularities worth ₹700 crore in the purchase of medicines and medical equipment.

The investigation follows concerns about the procurement and supply of medical materials to government hospitals.

One issue surfaced in August, when Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh sought an explanation from Thakur after a fresh complaint raised questions about suppliers previously named in a 2024 FIR.

The case concerned allegations that 13 companies had supplied substandard materials to six government hospitals. The subsequent complaint alleged that some of those firms remained involved in supplying surgical items to government-run facilities.

There was also a separate administrative concern over delays in preparing an action plan for pending purchases of medicines, consumables and medical equipment.

Thakur was issued a show-cause notice in connection with the alleged failure to submit the plan despite repeated directions. The allegations remain distinct from any final finding of responsibility.

Beyond the health portfolio, the reshuffle places Awanish Kumar in charge of the excise administration.

The 2014-batch officer, who has been overseeing Training and Technical Education as well as Higher Education, has been appointed Excise Commissioner.

The change comes as the government prepares for the anticipated introduction of a new excise policy this month. Ravi Jha, the previous incumbent, was transferred to Arunachal Pradesh last month.

Financial administration will also see an expanded role for Bipul Pathak.

The 1992-batch officer will retain his responsibilities as Additional Chief Secretary for Social Welfare, SC/ST/OBC and Women and Child Development, while additionally taking charge as Financial Commissioner.

Goyal’s move to the Health Department has opened up a change in the food supply administration. Navin Kumar Chaudhary, a 1994-batch officer, has been assigned additional responsibility for Food and Civil Supplies.

He already serves as Additional Chief Secretary for Irrigation and Flood Control and will continue to oversee the General Administration Department. His responsibilities for Irrigation and Flood Control will also remain in place.

The transport administration has been adjusted as well. Niharika Rai, a 2005-batch officer and Secretary-cum-Commissioner of Transport, will no longer hold the additional post of Secretary of Tourism.

She has instead been given additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the Delhi Transport Corporation.

The changes affect several major areas of governance, from public health and hospital procurement to excise administration, financial oversight and public transport.

The appointment changes in the Health Department coincide with an ongoing investigation, but do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing by any officer.