IAS Anurag Verma to be new Chief Secretary of Punjab

Chandigarh: An IAS officer of the 1993 batch, Mr. Anurag Verma has been appointed the new Chief Secretary of Punjab. He would be the 42nd incumbent to serve on the prestigious post. The orders to this effect were issued today by the Punjab Government. The orders would come into effect from July 1st, 2023 when Mr. Verma would assume charge as the new incumbent in place of Mr. Vijay Kumar Janjua who is retiring on June 30th, 2023.

At present, Mr. Anurag Verma is posted as the Additional Chief Secretary Home, Industries & Commerce, Legal and Legislative Affairs, Information Technology and Investment Promotion. As per the new orders, Mr. Verma would also hold the additional charge of Principal Secretary Personnel as well as Vigilance along with the Chief Secretary.

Born in a family of academicians at Patiala, Mr. Anurag Verma’s father served as the Professor of Chemistry and his mother as English teacher. His native village is Chalela in Patiala district. A Gold Medalist from the Thapar College, Patiala in Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mr. Anurag Verma bagged overall 7th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 1993.

After rendering excellent and efficient services as Deputy Commissioner of Bathinda, Ludhiana and Jalandhar districts during the field posting, he also excelled while discharging his duty in various departments at the Head Office.

As Special Secretary Revenue, he took the exceptional initiative of computerization of revenue land records and introduction of Fard Kendras in the state. He also played an important role in increasing the revenue due to his efficiency and hard working nature while serving as Excise and Taxation Commissioner, making tax payment easy and transparent for people being his crowning achievements.

While serving as the Finance Commissioner for Rural Development and Panchayat, he implemented the MGNREGA scheme effectively at the ground level. Not stopping at this, he created a healthy sporting environment by getting constructed playgrounds and sports parks in more than 1000 villages of the state.

Assuring to discharge the responsibility assigned by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann with due diligence and devotion, Mr. Anurag Verma said that implementation of people friendly initiatives commenced by the State Government at the grassroots level will be his top priority. He said that along with the outstanding work being done by the State Government in the health, education sector, and the transparent and better citizen centric services being provided to the residents of the state will be continued in a more effective manner. Besides, all round development of the state will be ensured and people’s grievances would be resolved on priority basis.