Baldi appointed RERA chief, Khachi likely to succeed him
Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service
Shimla, December 20
Chief Secretary Shrikant Baldi has been appointed chairperson of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), a week before his superannuation, leading to speculation about his successor.
The state government issued a notification for his appointment along with two other members of RERA for a term of five years or till the age of 65 years, whichever is first. The two other members whose appointment has been made are Rajeev Verma, Architect and BC Badalia, retired IAS.
The notification was issued by C Paulrasu, Secretary, Housing, yesterday. It is under Section 22 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act 2016 that a Selection Committee had been constituted on November 14, 2019 to recommend the names of the eligible candidates.
Even though the appointment of Baldi comes much along the expected lines there was speculation in some quarters that the state government could urge the Centre to give him at least three-month extension, However, with the Centre rarely granting permission in such cases, Baldi has now been made RERA Chief. Anil Khachi, a 1986 batch IAS officer presently serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, has emerged as the frontrunner for the top administrative post, especially after his repatriation from the Centre where he was serving as Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Assessment Management, Ministry of Finance. The fact that he returned to his home cadre within three months after he moved to Delhi had fueled speculation about his being tipped to the Chief Secretary.
While Baldi along with BK Aggarwal and Sanjeev Gupta belong to the 1985 batch, Khachi is the lone officer from the 1986 batch. While Aggarwal, former Chief Secretary has moved to Delhi on a central deputation, Gupta is also serving in Delhi. This makes Khachi, the senior most IAS officer serving in the State.
Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Tarun Kapoor , Secretary rank officer presently serving as Vice Chairman in the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi and Nisha Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment who belong to the 1987 batch and are next in seniority.
