The Assam government has ordered a sweeping administrative reshuffle, transferring thirteen district commissioners and several senior officials across the state “in the interest of public service,” according to a notification issued by the Personnel Department. Among the most notable changes, Aranyak Saikia, a 2020-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the new District Commissioner of Karbi Anglong. Saikia, who previously served as Staff Officer to the Chief Secretary, is the son of retired IPS officer and former Assam Director General of Police Kuladhar Saikia. The elder Saikia is also a distinguished literary figure, having received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015 for his short stories, and has served as president of the Asam Sahitya Sabha, the state’s apex literary body. Aranyak Saikia replaces Nirala Phangshopi, a 1995-batch ACS officer, who has been transferred to the Hill Areas Department as Additional Secretary.
The reshuffle also saw significant changes in other districts. Sumit Sattawan has been moved from Kamrup (Metropolitan) to Tinsukia, while Swapneel Paul has taken charge as District Commissioner of Kamrup (Metropolitan). Aayush Garg has been transferred from Sivasagar to Cachar, with Mridul Yadav shifting from Cachar to Sivasagar. Dibakar Nath has been posted to Bongaigaon from Dhubri, while Nabadeep Pathak has taken over in Dhubri after serving in Bongaigaon. Simi Karan, who was Joint Secretary in the Environment and Forest Department, has been appointed District Commissioner of Tamulpur, replacing Pankaj Chakravarty, who has been transferred to Kokrajhar.
Further changes include Masanda Magdalin Pertin, who has been moved from Kokrajhar to the Finance Department as Joint Secretary. Pubali Gohain, Secretary in the Home and Political Department, has been given additional charge as District Commissioner of Darrang. Pulak Mahanta has been transferred from Golaghat to serve as Inspector General of Prisons, while Parag Kumar Kakaty has taken over as District Commissioner of Golaghat. The reshuffle, approved by the Governor of Assam, marks one of the most extensive administrative realignments in recent months. Officials said the changes are aimed at strengthening governance and ensuring effective delivery of public services across key districts.
