Karnataka’s new chief secretary Kaushik Mukherjee, his agenda, his love for casual wear

For a change? Mukherjee in formal suit

WHEN 1978 batch IAS Kaushik Mukherjee was named as the new chief secretary of Karnataka, he had something special to ask for, from chief minister Siddaramaiah. Amid discussion about how to improve better administration at grassroots and development of Bangalore city, Mukherjee told the CM that he would like to attend office wearing casuals. But yes, when…
foreign delegates come to Bangalore, he would wear suit and tie. Those who know Mukherjee say he loves to live a very casual life though he maintains strict discipline so far as his work schedule is concerned. Mukherjee is succeeding SV Ranganath who is retiring today.
An engineer from IIT Delhi before joining as an IAS, Mukherjee is however more interested in social sector. Sample this. As the principal secretary of the department of forests, ecology and environment in Karnataka, Mukherjee is considered to be a driving force in increasing the state’s forest cover by 1,000 square kilometres. During the same period in 2010-12, the Union government gave its nod in declaring Bandipur National Park as an eco-sensitive zone. Also, Mukherjee has written two books on watershed development in Karnataka, a subject which many career-minded bureaucrats would love to ignore.
But as the chief secretary of a state like Karnataka, Mukherjee will have to take more responsibility in infrastructure side, and also wooing big industries to the state. But, keeping in mind his background, he would like to encourage those industries that won’t damage the environment much.
In mid 1980s, he went on a Central deputation and worked as a deputy secretary and then director in the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA). He was also the deputy commissioner in Hassan district of the state, and then worked as the MD of State Financial Corporation of Karnataka. In 1990, he went to Japan to pursue a course in business administration.
A Bengali from Delhi, Mukherjee is an avid photographer. He lives with his wife Oli, and two of his sons are living abroad.