{
  "id": 4346830,
  "title": "Manipur set to get 5th chief secretary in 3 years as Puneet Goel retires",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/manipur-set-to-get-5th-chief-secretary-in-3-years-as-puneet-goel",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T05:11:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/manipur-set-to-get-5th-chief-secretary-in-3-years-as-puneet-goel-retires-101788065085857.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Manipur is set to appoint its fifth chief secretary in just three years, following the ethnic conflict that began in May 2023. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh welcomed Puneet Goel, the outgoing chief secretary, who is stepping down this month after taking up the role on July 21, 2025. The government has not yet announced the new chief secretary, but sources indicate that Rajeev Singh Thakur, a 1995 batch IAS officer, is likely to be appointed to the top post. Thakur currently serves as the programme director of administration, governance and reforms, infrastructure connectivity in the Niti Aayog. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued a notification on August 28, changing Thakur's cadre from Rajasthan to Manipur, with the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approving the proposal. This move comes as tensions escalate between the Naga and Kuki communities over recent violent incidents.",
  "summary": "Though the government is yet to announce the new chief secretary, people familiar with the matter said that Rajeev Singh Thakur was likely to be appointed.",
  "key_points": [
    "Manipur to appoint 5th chief secretary in 3 years",
    "Puneet Goel retires after 21 July 2025 appointment",
    "Rajeev Singh Thakur likely to be new chief secretary"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The likely appointment of Rajeev Singh Thakur as chief secretary suggests that the Centre is actively involved in Manipur's administration amid ongoing ethnic conflict and instability in the state.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}