Sanjay Gupta, a 1988-batch IAS officer, was yesterday given the additional charge of the post of Chief Secretary of Himachal. He was posted as Additional Chief Secretary, Town and Country Planning and Housing, and was given the additional charge of the post of Chief Secretary. Gupta is the senior-most bureaucrat in the state and is due to retire next year and the additional charge of Chief Secretary has come as a surprise. Following Gupta’s posting as Chairman of the State Pollution Control Board, Additional Chief Secretary KK Pant appeared to have moved ahead in the race for the post of Chief Secretary. Pant will now function as Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue, Forest, Home and Vigilance.