In an unprecedented move, the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) has extended the term of present chief secretary of Manipur Rajesh Kumar by another six months.
According to sources, the same has been communicated to the state government by DOPT on Wednesday.
Rajesh Kumar was given a six months extension in July, 2022.
The latest move had belied the hopes of contenders to the top job including additional chief secretary MH Khan, NEC secretary K Moses Chalai and additional chief secretary P Vaiphei.
Earlier, the state had written to DOPT seeking another six months extension for Rajesh Kumar.
So far, only three chief secretaries were given service extension and the maximum period was six months.
DS Poonia was given only three months extension while RR Rashmi was given six months.
RR Rashmi had only about three months of service when he was appointed Chief Secretary in 2017 and in a special case he was given six months extension.
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