Amaravati: Dr M. Ariz Ahammed, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who hails from Andhra Pradesh, has been promoted to Chief Secretary grade in Assam. Department of Personnel of the government of Assam has issued orders promoting Ariz Ahammed with effect from January 1, 2025.
He will continue as Chairman, Assam Administrative and pension Tribunal. He earlier held the posts of Principal Secretary, public Enterprises Department and Principal Secretary, Transformation & Development Department.
Dr Ariz Ahammed belonging to 1995 batch is the first Muslim officer from Andhra Pradesh to be promoted to the rank of Chief Secretary.
Born in Podili town in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, Ariz Ahammed had secured 29th All India Rank in the civil services exam. He is an IAS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
Ariz Ahammed did BSc and MSc from Bapatla Agriculture College and PhD in Genetics from Indian Agricultural Institute Delhi. He is recipient of Gold Medal, Awards and distinctions during his academic career.
During his 30 years of public service in the states of Assam and Andhra Pradesh and at the Centre, he shouldered diverse and challenging responsibilities of Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate, Director of Assam Administrative Staff College and worked in the areas of Education, Health & Family Welfare, Tribal Welfare, Agriculture, Rural Development and Innovation. His services have been recognised nationally including the recognition of National e-Governance Golden Icon Award for exemplary leadership and empowerment of Women and Farmer Self Help Groups. He has a number of publications to his credit especially in the areas of good governance, transparency, people’s participation, women empowerment and use of ICT for service delivery.
He served on about 40 posts and received several awards. He worked as the special officer of Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board. This was an additional charge for Ariz Ahammed, whose main job then was managing director of Seed Development Corporation.
He served as Mission Director, National Water Mission and Member (Finance) Central Ground Water Board in Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India. He also held the post of Managing director of National Horticulture Board.
He served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals during 2014-16. During the period he undertook a number of initiatives in making India a global hub for drug discovery, development and innovation. Prior to that, during 2013-14, he was Director in the Ministry of Human Resources Development looking after quality and access of Elementary Education in the country.
