CM picks Pharka as Chief Secy

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 31

Putting an end to all speculation, 1983 batch IAS officer Vidya Chander Pharka was today appointed Chief Secretary on the retirement of P Mitra. Pharka superceded five of his colleagues to make it to the top administrative post.

A confident of the Chief Minister, Pharka was presently posted as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Tourism and Civil Aviation, Tribal Development and Public Relations and Principal Secretary to Virbhadra Singh. He will continue to hold charge of the departments held by him as ACS.

Born on October 15, 1959 in Pooh village of Kinnaur district, VC Pharka did his schooling from Government High School, Pooh, and did graduation from St Stephen’s College, Delhi. He did MA in International Studies and MBA from Australia. He also happens to be the third Chief Secretary from Kinnaur and the fourth tribal to make it to the top post. Prior to him Thakur Sen Negi, BC Negi (both from Kinnaur) and AN Vidyarthi (Lahaul-Spiti) have occupied this position.

He was inducted in the IAS on October 13, 1983, and started his career as Sub Divisional Magistrate Rohru. He has served in various capacities, including Deputy Commissioner of Shimla, Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti districts, Revenue Commissioner of all the Divisions of the State. He remained Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Horticulture, Administrative Reforms, Training, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Social Justice and Empowerment, Youth Services and Sports.

He also served as Director, Himachal Institute of Public Administration besides many other important postings. Pharka was promoted as Additional Chief Secretary on March 4, 2014, and held the charge of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Tribal Development and Information and Public Relations Department.

Making it to the top

Born on October 15, 1959 in Pooh village of Kinnaur district, VC Pharka did his schooling from Government High School, Pooh, and did graduation from St Stephen’s College, Delhi. He did MA in international studies and MBA from Australia