Bihar: Senior IAS officer Pankaj Kumar formally assumed charge as the Principal Secretary of Bihar’s Agriculture Department at Krishi Bhawan in Patna on Wednesday, 12 June. He succeeds Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, who welcomed him at the handover ceremony.
Following the official transition, Mr Kumar convened an introductory meeting with senior departmental officials to review the department’s key programmes, operational priorities, and ongoing schemes. Emphasising the critical role of agriculture in the state’s development, he described the department as Bihar’s “backbone” and underscored the need for innovation and proactive governance to support farmers.
During the meeting, Mr Kumar called for transparency, timeliness, and dedication in all departmental operations. He instructed officers from each division to prepare subject-wise PowerPoint presentations for upcoming review sessions. These presentations should outline scheme progress, local challenges, and performance metrics, he said, adding that robust data analysis is essential for effective planning.
He also stressed the importance of inter-departmental coordination and cooperation, urging officials to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the intended beneficiaries. “Every decision must be centred around the welfare of farmers,” Mr Kumar said. “They are the backbone of our nation, and every level of administration must prioritise their wellbeing.”
