1993-batch IAS officer Anurag Verma appointed as Chief Secretary of Punjab

Chandigarh, June 26: 1993-batch IAS officer Anurag Verma has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Punjab. He also gets additional charge of Principal Secretary, Department of Personnel and Vigilance.

The official orders have been issued. Anurag Verma will take over for VK Janjua, who is retiring on June 30. Anurag Verma would be the 42nd incumbent to serve on the prestigious post. 

Verma was currently appointed as the state’s home secretary.

Who is Anurag Verma?

Born in a family of academicians at Patiala, 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, 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 achievement. 

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 constructing playgrounds and sports parks in more than 1000 villages in the state. 

People-friendly initiatives a top priority

Assuring to discharge the responsibility assigned by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann with due diligence and devotion, 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, and education sectors, 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 a priority basis.

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