Deputation ends; charge handed over and leave taken
Moradabad administration saw a personnel change on Friday after the deputation tenure of IAS Anjaneya Kumar Singh expired and he handed over charge to District Magistrate Dr Rajendra Pensia before proceeding on leave, according to news reports. Singh, a 2005‑batch officer of the Sikkim cadre who has worked in Uttar Pradesh for over a decade, has not yet been granted a fresh extension of his deputation in the state.
According to media accounts, the state Appointment and Personnel Department has already placed a proposal before Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeking continuation of Singh’s tenure in Uttar Pradesh. If the Chief Minister approves, the file will be routed to the Central Government and then to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which will seek the Prime Minister’s Office sign‑off before an extension order can be issued by the Centre.
Background and previous extensions
Singh is reported to have spent only eight years in his original Sikkim cadre and about 11 years on deputation in Uttar Pradesh. His placement in the state began after a request was made to the Centre in 2015 and subsequent recommendations led to multiple renewals. He has reportedly received seven consecutive extensions on deputation, most recently allowing him to serve as Moradabad Commissioner.
News coverage notes that Singh has been regarded among the group of officers trusted by the state leadership. His tenure in UP has included high‑profile administrative action linked to cases involving Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan; Singh’s role in the aftermath of a 2019 speech by Azam Khan was cited in reports as contributing to the latter’s disqualification as an MLA at that time.
“…making the collector clean shoes after the elections,”
The above phrase appears in archive reporting from 2019 describing remarks attributed to Azam Khan during a speech; Singh’s subsequent action as a collector was among events that drew attention to his administrative profile, reports say.
What needs to happen for an extension
The administrative process for extending a state deputation of a cadre officer requires a sequence of approvals:
- State government proposal and recommendation to the Chief Minister
- Chief Minister’s approval and recommendation to the Central Government
- DoPT processing and, where necessary, clearance from the Prime Minister’s Office
- Issuance of the formal extension order by the Central Government
Until the Centre issues an order, an officer on whose deputation has expired must either be relieved to return to the parent cadre or remain on leave, as per applicable service rules. Local reporting indicates Singh has gone on leave following the handover of duties.
Local implications and administration
Singh’s absence leaves the district administration under the immediate charge of the DM, a development that may be temporary depending on the speed of approvals. Moradabad, a major commercial and industrial centre in western Uttar Pradesh, relies on continuity in the collectorate and commissionerate for matters ranging from law and order to civic services and industrial regulation. Any delay in confirming senior appointments can affect coordination between state departments and district offices, officials say in general terms.
| Item | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Cadre | Sikkim |
| Batch | 2005 |
| Years in original cadre | 8 years |
| Years in Uttar Pradesh | 11 years |
| Number of reported deputation extensions | 7 |
Officials in the state personnel department follow a prescribed protocol for such transfers and extensions. Any decision on Singh’s future posting will be shaped by procedural clearance as well as administrative priorities at the state and central levels.
Political context
Singh’s initial move to Uttar Pradesh was reportedly facilitated at the request of then Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and under the government of the time led by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in 2015. Subsequently, successive recommendations from the state leadership have reportedly secured his continued stay in Uttar Pradesh through renewals.
For residents of Moradabad, the immediate concern will be administrative stability. The handover to the DM and the officer’s leave will be closely watched by business groups, civic bodies and political actors until the Centre communicates a formal order on his deputation status.
