SK Joshi takes over as CS from SP Singh

Hyderabad: The 1984 batch IAS officer and Special Chief Secretary to Irrigation department, SK Joshi, on Wednesday assumed charge as new Chief Secretary of Telangana replacing incumbent SP Singh, who retired on attaining superannuation.

Joshi took over from Singh at his chambers in the Secretariat on Wednesday at a brief programme attended by several bureaucrats, including state DGP M Mahendar Reddy and the Secretaries of other departments.

Joshi was also given the additional charge of Secretary to Irrigation department, which he has been holding before his elevation to the post of Chief Secretary. Joshi was the instrumental in the execution of irrigation projects, particularly the Kaleshwaram project, on fast-track by getting all clearances from the Centre.

Said Joshi: “I will fulfill all government’s commitments in a time-bound manner and complete the Kaleshwaram project by June this year. I will also take steps in resolving the long-pending division of assets, water sharing and transfer of employees between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Disposal of public grievances, strengthening of administration and the fulfillment of tasks will be the major challenges before me.”

Joshi began his career as an Assistant Collector in Nellore district in the undivided Andhra Pradesh. He held several important positions in the then AP government which including Secretary to Irrigation, Health, Municipal Administration and Revenue department.

He had also had a nine-year stint in the Union ministry of Environment and Forests between 1991-1994 and 2001 – 2006. He has been appointed Secretary to Irrigation in the Telangana government and continued in the post for the last four years.