IAS Haris S Appointed Deputy Secretary in Department of Commerce

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New Delhi: IAS Haris S (2015 batch), belonging to the Chhattisgarh cadre, has been appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Government of India, under the Central Staffing Scheme.

The appointment is for a period of four years and marks an important transition from field administration to a key policy-oriented role at the Centre.

Haris S brings with him extensive experience in district administration, rural development, and governance in some of the most challenging regions of Chhattisgarh.

Experience as District Collector in Key Regions

At present, Haris S is serving as Collector and District Magistrate of Bastar, a district known for its complex administrative and security environment. Prior to this, he served as Collector and District Magistrate, Sukma, from 4 July 2022 to 15 September 2024. During his tenure in Sukma, he focused on development administration, public service delivery, and strengthening district-level institutional mechanisms in a strategically significant region.

Leadership in Rural Development and Panchayati Raj

Before becoming a District Collector, Haris S served as Chief Executive Officer, Zila Panchayat, Bilaspur, from 17 January 2021 to 30 June 2022, under the Panchayat and Rural Development Department. He was responsible for planning, execution, and monitoring of rural development programmes, including infrastructure creation, livelihood initiatives, and decentralised governance.

Earlier, as CEO, Zila Panchayat, Balrampur (14 February 2019 to 3 January 2021), he worked closely with grassroots institutions to strengthen Panchayati Raj systems and ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes.

Early Administrative and Policy Exposure

Haris S gained senior administrative exposure as Additional Collector, Raigarh (September 2018–February 2019), and earlier as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Raigarh, where he handled law and order, revenue administration, and public grievance redressal. He also briefly served as Assistant Secretary in the Department of Women and Child Development at the Centre in 2017, gaining valuable insight into national-level policymaking.

With his blend of field experience and policy exposure, Haris S is expected to contribute effectively to the Department of Commerce at a crucial time for India’s trade and economic engagement.