gfiles magazine

August 12, 2016

Khandelwal leads the challenge



The change of regime in Haryana has made some officers persona non grata, especially those who served with former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. KK Khandelwal, a 1985-batch officer of the Haryana cadre, Additional Chief Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, is a known name in Haryana. Well qualified, Khandelwal is known as a fast-paced civil servant among his colleagues. The change of guard did not affect his morale and enthusiasm. He kept on working on whatever job was assigned to him. Manohar Lal Khattar was looking for an efficient civil servant who could deliver results on the plan to celebrate 50 years of Haryana as a golden jubilee year from November 2016. Khattar started speaking to many officers and spotted Khandelwal as one who can deliver with speed. The only issue was he had served as Additional Principal Secretary in the previous regime. Khattar discussed the issue with Khandelwal and conveyed to him that he is posing full confidence in his capabilities. Khattar called a cabinet meeting to discuss which departments should take the lead in the celebrations. It was decided that the Sports, Youth Affairs and Culture Ministry should be given charge. Both departments were separate and so it was decided to club them and make one ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs and Culture. Khandelwal’s name was announced to head the ministry. It was a big honour for Khandelwal. He did not lose time and sent a full vision plan to the Chief Minister the very next day. A separate authority “Haryana Golden Jubilee Celebrations Authority” is being created. Khandewal is on the job but he has to be wary of political pressures to rope in non-professionals. g

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