Rajasthan IAS Officer Shikhar Agarwal Removed

The Rajasthan government has removed senior IAS officer Shikhar Agarwal from several key positions.

He was serving as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises departments.

Agarwal and his family members purchased 40 villas and cottages from a single company, Goyal Fashions Private Limited, and then leased them back. The family spent Rs 6.16 crore on the properties and will receive an annual rental income of Rs 1.80 crore.

The government has cited administrative reasons for the action, but it is believed to be related to the recent media reports on the family's property transactions.

Agarwal has been placed under Awaiting Posting Orders (APO), relieving him of his responsibilities as chairman of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Special Area Development Authority, Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation, and the Bureau of Investment Promotion, Rajasthan.

The company from which the properties were purchased had received investment incentives under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme, including exemptions from various taxes and subsidies.

Agarwal, a 1993-batch IAS officer, has held several important administrative positions in Rajasthan, including the post of Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister.

He was suddenly removed from the post and appointed Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries around a year ago.