BY PC Bureau
Former Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has been appointed as the Governor of Manipur, as announced in an official notification on Tuesday. His appointment comes at a critical time for the state, which has been grappling with ethnic violence since May 2023.
Bhalla succeeds Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who assumed the office of Manipur Governor on July 31 this year. In a broader reshuffle, Arif Mohammad Khan, the Governor of Kerala known for his frequent clashes with the state government, has been appointed as the Governor of Bihar. Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, the Governor of Mizoram, will take over as Governor of Odisha, replacing Raghubar Das. General (Dr.) Vijay Kumar Singh (Retd.) will step in as the Governor of Mizoram, while Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the outgoing Governor of Bihar, will be the new Governor of Kerala.
(Arif Mohammad Khan)
Of all these appointments, Bhalla faces the most challenging task. Overseeing a state torn by nearly two years of ethnic conflict, his role underscores the Centre’s recognition that Manipur’s volatile situation requires a seasoned and capable administrator. Bhalla’s extensive experience is viewed as crucial, particularly amid perceptions of Chief Minister Biren Singh’s involvement in the ongoing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
Born on November 26, 1960, in Jalandhar, Punjab, Bhalla is a distinguished IAS officer from the 1984 Assam-Meghalaya cadre. He holds a Master of Science in Botany from the University of Delhi, an MBA from the University of Queensland, Australia, and an M.Phil. in Social Sciences from Punjab University.
Over his illustrious career, Bhalla has held numerous high-profile positions in the Indian government. As Union Home Secretary from August 23, 2019, to August 22, 2024, he played a pivotal role in managing national security and internal affairs. Prior to this, he served as Secretary of the Ministry of Power from July 2017 to July 2019, significantly contributing to policy development in the energy sector.
His other notable roles include Director General of Foreign Trade, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Coal.
Recognized for his exemplary service, Bhalla received multiple extensions during his tenure as Home Secretary, making him one of the longest-serving officials in the role. His appointment as Governor of Manipur reflects the government’s trust in his leadership and ability to navigate the state’s complex challenges.
