In a significant administrative reshuffle following a tragic incident, the Noida Authority has appointed Krishna Karunesh as its interim Chief Executive Officer. This development comes after the removal of Lokesh M from the CEO position in the aftermath of software engineer Yuvraj Mehta's unfortunate death in a waterlogged plot on January 17.
IAS Officer Takes Additional Charge
Krishna Karunesh, a 2011-batch Indian Administrative Service officer, has been serving as the additional CEO of Noida Authority since July last year. The Uttar Pradesh government has now officially assigned him the additional responsibility of CEO until a permanent appointment is made.
The state government's order clearly states that Karunesh will handle both his current responsibilities and the CEO duties simultaneously. "I have been directed to instruct you that until a permanent (regular) posting is made to the post of chief executive officer, Noida, you shall discharge the responsibilities of the post of chief executive officer, Noida, along with the responsibilities of your present post," reads the official communication signed by Special Secretary Vijay Kumar.
Background of the New Interim CEO
Krishna Karunesh brings substantial administrative experience to his new role. His previous assignments include:
- Serving as District Magistrate of Gorakhpur
- Holding the position of District Magistrate in Hapur
- Working as District Magistrate of Balrampur
- Vice-Chairperson of Ghaziabad Development Authority
- Chief Development Officer of Ghaziabad
Context of the Administrative Change
The removal of the previous CEO, Lokesh M, occurred amidst growing public anger and criticism over perceived administrative negligence regarding crucial infrastructure issues. The tragic death of software engineer Yuvraj Mehta highlighted serious concerns about waterlogging and drainage problems in Noida, with local residents directly blaming the Authority for failing to address these persistent issues.
Government Investigation Initiated
Responding to the public outcry and the tragic incident, the Uttar Pradesh government has established a three-member Special Investigation Team. This SIT has been tasked with examining:
- Administrative lapses that may have contributed to the situation
- The complete sequence of events leading to the software professional's death
- Accountability measures for those responsible
The appointment of Krishna Karunesh as interim CEO represents a crucial step in restoring public confidence while the investigation proceeds and the search for a permanent CEO continues. This administrative change underscores the government's response to citizen concerns about urban infrastructure and safety in Noida.
