In a strategic reshuffle within the Finance Ministry, Arunish Chawla has been appointed to head the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), replacing Tuhin Kanta Pandey, who will now take over as the new Revenue Secretary. This change, made just weeks before the Union Budget on February 1, 2024, is expected to strengthen leadership within the ministry during this critical financial period.
Arunish Chawla, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Bihar cadre, was serving as the Revenue Secretary since December 25, 2023. Before his appointment to the role, Chawla had been Secretary of the Department of Pharmaceuticals in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. His distinguished career includes leadership roles such as Managing Director of the Patna Metro Rail Project and Senior Economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Chawla also served as Minister (Economic) at the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey, an IAS officer from the Odisha cadre, has had a significant impact in his roles in the Finance Ministry, including his leadership at DIPAM and overseeing the successful privatization of Air India. In his new position as Revenue Secretary, Pandey will continue to play a key role in the country’s fiscal management. As part of the reshuffle, Pandey will also take on the responsibility of the Department of Public Enterprises, a position previously managed by Chawla.
Chawla will continue to hold the additional charge of Secretary for the Ministry of Culture until a regular appointment is made. The reshuffle is being seen as a move to enhance the effectiveness of leadership across key financial departments ahead of the Union Budget, which is expected to outline the government’s priorities for the coming year.
