Indian Bureaucracy, Lucknow, April 29, 2025| In a late evening order, the Uttar Pradesh government announced the transfer of five IAS officers at the Special Secretary level, alongside appointing Principal Secretary Smt. Sanyukta Samaddar, a 1999-batch officer of the state cadre, to oversee the Minority Welfare and Muslim Waqf Departments. This move is considered significant, given the intense scrutiny on both the Central and State governments regarding the politically sensitive issue of Muslim Waqf properties. According to the Waqf Assets Management System of India (WAMSI), maintained by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the UP Sunni Waqf holds 1,24,866 estates spanning 20,483 acres, while the Shia Waqf owns 3,102 estates. The majority of these properties are concentrated in Gonda, followed by Barabanki near Lucknow, with notable land parcels in Old Loco Colony and Agra Cantt. Samaddar’s appointment is seen as a strategic step towards managing these extensive assets amid ongoing debates over Waqf property administration.
- Smt Sanyukta Samaddar IAS (UP 1999), presently Principal Secretary, Political Pension & Civil Defence Department, Uttar Pradesh, given additional charge of Principal Secretary – Minority Welfare department and Muslim Waqf Department, Uttar Pradesh.
- Shri Divya Prakash Giri IAS (UP 2010), presently Special Secretary, UP State Excise Department, with additional charge of Special Secretary, Sugar Industries & Cane Development, Uttar Pradesh, is transferred and appointed as Special Secretary – Namami Gangey & Rural Water Resources, Uttar Pradesh.
- Shri Devendra Kumar Singh Kushwaha IAS (UP 2012), presently Special Secretary, Medical Education Department, Uttar Pradesh, is transferred and appointed as Special Secretary – UP State Excise Department, Lucknow.
- Shri Rajneesh Chandra IAS (UP 2012), presently Special Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Uttar Pradesh, is transferred and appointed as Special Secretary – Rural Development, Uttar Pradesh.
- Shri Rajendra Singh IAS (Rajendra Singh-II; UP 2012), presently Special Secretary, Rural Development, Uttar Pradesh, is transferred and appointed as Special Secretary – Social Welfare Department, Uttar Pradesh.
- Smt Pooja Yadav IAS (UP 2019), presently awaiting posting, is appointed as Special Secretary – Uttar Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Department of Labour, Uttar Pradesh.
IndianBureaucracy.com wishes all the officers the very best.
