In reshuffle, Manjhi makes his mark

Meanwhile, bureaucrats of Manjhi’s choice have been assigned key departments such as  home, health, education, road construction, building and construction. Manjhi has also ensured he gives a “fair representation” to the Dalit community, sources said.

Tuesday’s reshuffle saw principal secretary, Home, Amir Subhani move to the General Administration Department (GAD) after a stint of more than five years. However, the transfer was due, said a senior bureaucrat. “Not much can be read into Subhani’s transfer. He remains crucial to Manjhi’s scheme of things,” said the bureaucrat, adding, “But the other transfers bear a clear Manjhi stamp.”

Amrit Lal Meena, who was principal secretary, agriculture, has been given the important position of principal secretary, CM secretariat. Senior IAS officer Deepak Kumar, who held that post as well as important positions in the GAD and the health department, was sent on central deputation recently. “For Manjhi, Meena is the most important bureaucrat after Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh,” said a source close to the CM.

Sudhir Kumar, who was Staff Selection Commission chairman, pipped several contenders to become principal secretary, Home. “He is an out-and-out CM’s choice,” said a source, adding that Sudhir had got an important department after a long time.

Patna Commissioner Narmadeshwar Lal has been moved to the building construction department as principal secretary. “With house allotments for MLAs and ministers an important but tricky job, the department interests the CM,” said a source.

Harjot Kaur, who was animal husbandry department secretary, has been moved to the crucial road construction department (RCD). Kaur replaces Arun Kumar Singh, who held the position for only six months. “So far, there was an impression that RCD Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh — a key Nitish man — had been calling the shots in his department. This transfer might be meant to send a message to the minister,” said a bureaucrat.

Others IAS officers close to Nitish have also been transferred. Chanchal Kumar was moved from the building construction department to rural works, while S Siddharth was transferred from rural works to the labour department.

Amid speculation that Manjhi may be replaced as CM after the merger of Janata Parivar parties, sources said he is trying to position himself as a Dalit leader. “Manjhi knows it will be difficult to replace him because of the Dalit vote bank. RJD chief Lalu Prasad is ambivalent on replacing him. The cold war between Nitish and Manjhi is likely to continue till the Assembly elections,” said a JD(U) leader.

Manjhi has often said that he is not a “rubber stamp CM”. The bureaucratic reshuffle, sources said, is meant to reiterate just that.

Nitish’s men
Amarjeet Sinha: Removed as education secretary, back on central deputation
Deepak Kumar: On central deputation
Amir Subhani: Removed as home secy, now GAD secy
Chanchal Kumar: Removed as building construction department secy, shifted to rural works
S Siddharth: Transferred from rural works to labour department
Vijoy Prakash: Removed as principal secy, transport; made agriculture production commissioner

Manjhi’s men
Amrit Lal Meena: Principal secy, CM secretariat
Sudhir Kumar: Principal secy, home
Narmadeshwar Lal: Building construction principal secy
Harjot Kaur: Road construction department secy