Anup Chandra Pandey takes over as new Election Commissioner

THE VOICE OF CHANDIGARH NEWS:

Anup Chandra Pandey assumed charge as the new Election Commissioner (EC) of India. Pandey joins the Election Commission of India as second Election Commissioner in a three-member body headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

Born on 15th February 1959, Anup Chandra Pandey has been a 1984 batch Indian Administrative Service Officer. During the span of about 37 years of distinguished Government of India service, Pandey has worked in various Ministries & Departments at the Centre and his state cadre of Uttar Pradesh.

Anup Chandra Pandey, a career bureaucrat holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College and a Master’s degree in Materials Management from Panjab University. Anup Chandra who has a keen interest in the study of history holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Ancient Indian History from Magadh University.

Pandey superannuated as Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh in August 2019. Prior to joining the Election Commission of India, Mr. Pandey served as a Member National Green Tribunal Oversight Committee, Uttar Pradesh.

Under his administrative leadership as Chief Secretary, the state successfully organized the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj and Paravasi Bhartiya at Varnasi Diwas in 2019.

Earlier, Anup Chandra served as Industrial Development Commissioner of the state and successfully organized a mega Investor’s Summit at Lucknow in 2018. He also introduced various policy reforms in the industries and business sector including single-window Nivesh Mitra Portal.

As Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), Government of Uttar Pradesh. Pandey’s endeavours led to successful designing, planning and implementation of the Uttar Pradesh Farm Loan Waiver Scheme.

Pandey has held diverse portfolios during his deputation with the central government. He served as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India where he represented the country at various international forums like G20 and International Labour Organization. He was also Director of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Department of Consumer Affairs.

Pandey has a keen interest in writing and has authored a book titled “Governance in Ancient India” which explores the evolution, nature, scope, functions and all related aspects of ancient Indian Civil Service from the Rig Vedic period to 650 AD.