By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 18 Jun: Senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of Uttarakhand cadre Sanjiv Chaturvedi has received the state government’s approval for deputation to the post of Joint Secretary in the Lokpal of India. The Uttarakhand administration has conveyed its consent to the Lokpal Secretariat through a formal communication and directed departmental officials to complete the necessary formalities linked to his application. It may be recalled that Chaturvedi has been an officer often in the news for red flagging corruption and irregularities in various departments including his own forest department, and for his integrity. Chaturvedi has red flagged corruption and irregularities even in other departments where he had been posted on deputation. He is also known for his work and frequent presence in public discourse, and he had applied for the post following the advertisement issued by the Lokpal on 27 April 2026 for filling a Joint Secretary level position on deputation or short‑term contract.
Chaturvedi had submitted his request to the state government on 26 May 2026, pointing out that the last date for forwarding applications is 15 June 2026. He also mentioned that the application must be accompanied by NOC, cadre clearance, vigilance clearance, APAR and other requisite documents. In his letter he referred to a 2020 case linked to the Staff Selection Commission where disputes had arisen over forwarding his application, leading to litigation over alleged administrative lapses and delays. He urged that this time the process be completed within the stipulated timeline and in accordance with rules. On 13 June 2026, Additional Secretary Himanshu Khurana issued a letter stating that based on the recommendations of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and other officials, the state government accords its consent to Chaturvedi’s application and directed the department to ensure compliance with due procedure. With the state’s approval, the matter now rests with the Lokpal Secretariat which will scrutinise applications and complete the eligibility and selection process before taking a final decision.
Chaturvedi, a widely discussed officer in Uttarakhand’s administrative circles, has earlier drawn attention for his role in forest and governance matters as well as for his stand on various issues. His application for the Lokpal post has once again made him a subject of discussion in official corridors. Prior to this, he had come into prominence during the AIIMS Delhi investigation case. In April 2026, he decided to donate the entire amount of allowances received during his official tours, exceeding Rs 3 lakh, to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. He formally informed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests on 4 April 2026 about his decision, which has been widely noted both in administrative circles and among the public as an inspiring gesture. Between 17 December 2016 and 30 August 2025, he undertook 447 days of official tours, for which he was entitled to daily allowance and accommodation allowance amounting to over Rs 3 lakhs. Instead of utilising the sum personally, he requested that it be deposited in the relief fund, stating that it would serve the public interest better and provide assistance to those in need. This is not the first time he has donated his income or award money for social causes. In 2015 he had contributed his entire Magsaysay Award amount to the treatment of poor patients at AIIMS Delhi, and after the Pulwama terror attack he donated his mediation fees to support the families of martyred soldiers.
Independent observers claim that several senior officers in his home department the forest department of Uttarakhand may be relieved to see him being sent on deputation but they also observe that Chaturvedi can contribute significantly on his deputation posting with the Lokpal at the Centre. In Uttarakhand, even being a senior level IFS cadre officer, he was not been given any high profile posting.
