Imphal: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Prashant Kumar Singh, a 1993-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, as the Chief Secretary of Manipur. Singh, who was serving as Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, will take over from Vineet Joshi, who has been appointed as the Higher Education Secretary at the Centre.
Singh, an IAS officer of the Manipur cadre, is being repatriated to his parent cadre to assume this pivotal role. His extensive experience includes serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Government e-Marketplace under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Singh is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and holds a master’s degree in Public Policy and Sustainable Development from TERI University, New Delhi.
His appointment comes at a critical juncture for Manipur, a state embroiled in prolonged ethnic and political tensions. The ongoing crisis has exposed deep divides between communities and has put significant strain on the state’s administrative and law enforcement capabilities. The previous administration faced criticism for its handling of these issues, raising expectations for Singh’s tenure.
Observers view Singh’s appointment as an opportunity to inject fresh energy and strategic vision into Manipur’s administration. His leadership is expected to focus on addressing the root causes of the state’s unrest, rebuilding trust among communities, and restoring stability in a region fraught with challenges.
The challenges awaiting the new Chief Secretary are formidable, but his background in public policy and sustainable development, combined with his administrative acumen, is anticipated to bring a nuanced approach to governance in Manipur.