DD Verma to take over as new UP chief secretary

With state elections in sight, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati is focusing on providing good governance for which she has sought the repatriation of Indian Administrative Service officer of UP cadre Desh Deepak Verma from the Centre to don the mantle of the state's new chief secretary.

The present incumbent Atul Kumar Gupta retires on March 31, but he is likely to proceed on leave pending retirement to make room for Verma. The new chief secretary is likely to join the UP government next month.  

An officer of the 1978 batch, Verma is currently holding office of additional secretary and financial advisor in the Union Ministry of Food and Public Distribution.

According to a top state government source, Mayawati has already shot off a formal letter to the Union government to relieve Verma for the assignment in UP. She is understood to have called Verma for a discussion before sending the letter. A year ago, when he moved to the Centre, Verma was holding the post of the principal secretary (institutional finance) in the Mayawati government.

The UP CM has handpicked Verma, in whom she was ready to repose faith to ensure good governance, which has been rather low on her agenda ever since she assumed office for the fourth time in May 2007. However, with state assembly elections due next year, she is keen to do a Nitish Kumar in the state, say insiders.  

According to a top government source, Verma is rated as an officer with not only high intellect but also with innovative ideas. His rich field experience as district magistrate of four key districts – Almora, Aligarh, Barielly and Agra -- and divisional commissioner of two major divisions -- Allahabad and Lucknow -- is expected to come in handy.