Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata

Kolkata, Jul 24: The Centre has approved a six-month extension in service for West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal beyond his scheduled retirement on July 31, according to an official order issued on Thursday.

The extension, approved by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), will take effect from August 1 and remain in force till January 31, 2027, officials said.

The West Bengal government had sought the extension on July 15, two months after Agarwal assumed charge as the state's Chief Secretary on May 11.

A senior state government official said the decision would ensure administrative continuity at a time when several major development projects, welfare programmes and policy initiatives are being implemented.

"The extension will provide administrative stability and help ensure the smooth execution of key government programmes currently being overseen by the Chief Secretary," the official said.
Agarwal, a 1990-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre, was due to retire at the end of this month.

An engineering graduate, he began his administrative career as Additional District Magistrate in the then Burdwan district and has since held several important positions in the state government.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Agarwal has served as Principal Secretary in departments including Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Food and Supplies, and Fire and Emergency Services. He has also served as the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, overseeing the conduct of elections in the state.

Since taking over as Chief Secretary in May, Agarwal has been coordinating inter-departmental governance, monitoring flagship welfare schemes and spearheading key administrative reforms, officials said.