SP Goyal, a Yogi confidant, takes charge as new UP Chief Secretary
Considered close to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Goyal was serving as the additional chief secretary to the CM, handling Protocol, Civil Aviation and the Estate departments.
He has been working in the Chief Minister's office (CMO) for the past eight years, ever since the BJP, led by Adityanath, formed government in the state in 2017.
He was also the additional resident commissioner of Uttar Pradesh.
Known for his low-key style of functioning and for planning and coordination skills as well as political acumen, Goyal is likely to continue to hold the post till the 2027 Assembly elections. Being seen as a calculated move, his appointment comes at a time when the state government is increasingly faced with infighting between ministers, MLAs and officials.
In 2017, he was on deputation to the Centre as joint secretary, Higher Education Department, in the Union Education Ministry. Soon after his repatriation to the state in May 2017, he was appointed principal secretary to the Chief Minister and continued to look after the Protocol, Civil Aviation and the Estate departments even after his promotion as additional chief secretary to CM in 2020.
Officials said during the Covid-19 pandemic, Goyal acted as a crucial link between the Chief Minister and other departments.
Interestingly, he was considered a front-runner to the Chief Secretary's post in 2024 when Durga Shankar Mishra's term ended but Manoj Kumar Singh, an IAS officer of the 1988 batch, was given charge instead.
In the past, he served as the district magistrate of Mathura, Etawah and Prayagraj and as secretary to the Planning, and Irrigation departments.
Goyal, who was also considered powerful during the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) government from 2007 to 2012, will also hold the additional charge of Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner, additional chief secretary, Coordination Department, and UPIEDA chief executive officer (CEO).
However, the charge of principal secretary, Estate Department and Civil Aviation, has been given to Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Sanjay Prasad.
After assuming charge as the Chief Secretary on Thursday, Goyal told mediapersons that he would ensure that full emphasis is laid on the implementation of the 'policies of zero tolerance, zero corruption, industrial development and economic development' in the state.
'On the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, efforts will be made to take Uttar Pradesh on the path of development and make the state a 1-trillion dollar economy. He would ensure that development works are completed in a timely manner and concrete steps are taken to make UP an industrial hub, Goyal said.
He also thanked CM Adityanath for 'giving me the opportunity to serve on the top administrative post in the state'.
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