Alok Ranjan


Alok Ranjan is a retired 1978 batch IAS officer from the U.P Cadre. He retired on 1 July 2016 after holding the office of Chief Secretary for the Government of Uttar Pradesh for over two years. Prior to this he has held various portfolios including Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner and Agriculture Production Commissioner for the state of Uttar Pradesh.
After retirement, he was appointed as the Chief Adviser to Chief Minister of U.P and Chairman U.P.S.I.D.C. He resigned from this post following the defeat of the incumbent Samajwadi Party government in the state assembly elections.
An established thought leader and public speaker he has given talks at various educational and business forums such as CII, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, IIM's etc. He is an author of two books, and also writes articles for leading national publications such as Times of India, Economic Times, Business Standard, HT and more.

Career

As an IAS officer

Chief Adviser to Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh">List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh">Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh & Chairman of UPSIDC (Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation)

· Oversaw all development projects in the state and advised the Hon. Chief Minister of U.P on matters of policy and governance.
· Responsible for developing and implementing initiatives that enhance the Industrialization of the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Chief Secretary">Chief Secretary (India)">Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh">Government of Uttar Pradesh">Uttar Pradesh (Administrative Head of the State Government)

· Responsible for the overall administration, Policy, development and law & order management of the state.
· Introduced a work culture of accessibility, transparency, integrity and result orientation leading to efficient and timely implementation of all development projects.
· Conceptualized and executed the Lucknow Metro Rail project within a record span of 26 months.
· Completed the 302 km long, Lucknow – Agra expressway in record time of 22 months.
· Initiated and implemented the Gomti Riverfront Development project.
· Instrumental in the Development of IT City which brought the IT Sector to Lucknow.
· Implemented Energy sector reforms which transformed U.P from a power deficit state to one with 24 hours power supply in urban areas and 16 hours in rural areas.
· Successfully handled natural calamities and drought in the state with multiple key measures.
· Implemented the largest social welfare scheme – Samajwadi Pension Scheme covering 55 lac families.
· Successfully launched and executed the Lohia village development scheme leading to the all round development of over 10K villages.
· Launched the 'Dial 108 program', providing free ambulance service within 20 minutes, anywhere across the state.
· Revamped the complete infrastructure and operations of 'Dial 100 program' ensuring police assistance within 15 minutes.
· Launched the women helpline - 1090 to tackle harassment and crime against women.

Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner

· Successfully implemented the industrial policy and held several investment meets to get over Rs.80,000 Crore MOU's signed for investment in U.P.
· Introduced and implemented the Single Window System for industries.

Agriculture Production Commissioner

· Improved agricultural productivity in the entire state and ensured zero shortage of seeds and fertilizers.
· Conceptualized and initiated the successful Kamdhenu Dairy Scheme and Poultry scheme which brought about breed improvement and enhanced the income of the farmers.

Principal Secretary">Principal Secretary (India)">Principal Secretary (Urban Development and Environment)

· Successfully implemented multiple projects under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission and National Ganga River Authority.
· Implemented key Municipal Reforms such as automation and digitization of the Property Tax in UP and introduction of double entry accounting system in municipal services.

Principal Secretary">Principal Secretary (India)">Principal Secretary (Technical & Vocational Education)

· Brought about examination and curriculum reforms.
· Implemented faculty development and virtual class room projects to enhance quality of technical education.

Managing Director, NAFED ([National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India])

· Increased turnover from 1400 Cr. to 7000 Cr by incorporating best management practices and leadership.

Joint Secretary">Joint Secretary to Government of India">Joint Secretary (Defense), [Government of India]

· Responsible for the complete administration and management of Indian Navy, Coastguards and Army Ordinance.

Secretary to Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh">List of Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh">Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh

· Was responsible for overseeing and managing key government departments such as Law & Order, Industry and Education, Energy, Urban Development and Housing.
· Instrumental in implementing Energy reforms including the unbundling of the UP State Electricity board into 4 corporations for enhancing efficiency and profitability.

Secretary (Finance)

· Conceived and implemented the computerization of UP Treasuries.
· Automated and computerized the complete budget process.

Secretary (Basic and Adult Education)

· Ensured the construction of over 20,000 primary schools in the State of U.P.
· Recognized by World Bank for the best implementation of its `Education for all’ project across India.

District Magistrate">District collector">District Magistrate, [Allahabad]

· Started Janta adalat system for addressing public grievances which was later adopted by the state as a standard practice.
· Successfully conducted the Assembly elections of U.P.

District Magistrate">District collector">District Magistrate, [Agra]

· Recognized at the national and international level for being the first state in U.P to successfully implement the Total Literacy campaign for Adult literacy.
· Initiated the first ever computerization of land records which was then used as a model for the whole state.
· Conceived and implemented Taj Mahotsav which has since then become an international tourism event.

District Magistrate">District collector">District Magistrate, Ghaziabad">Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh">Ghaziabad

· Did extensive work to improve the Law and Order of the district by taking action against mafias which was also recognized by various national media publications such as India Today.

District Magistrate">District collector">District Magistrate, Banda">Banda, Uttar Pradesh">Banda

· Successfully conducted the parliament and assembly elections and used time and motion study to be first in the state to declare results.

Additional Director, Industries

· Successfully implemented the rate contract system for Small and Medium Industries.

[Municipal Commissione]r, [Allahabad] & Vice Chairman, Allahabad Development Authority

· Instrumental in successfully organizing the Mahakumbh of 1989
· Conceptualized and developed several beautiful parks ex. Nehru Park, Bharadwaj Ashram Park and developed Saraswati and Rasulabad ghats.

Managing Director, U.P State Spinning Mills Corporation, Kanpur

· Enhanced profitability of operation by maximizing capacity utilization and productivity.

District Magistrate">District collector">District Magistrate, Gazipur">Gazipur City">Gazipur

· Very successful implementation of rural development programs like – National rural employment program.
· Ensured that the district ranked in the top 10 in the state and was awarded gold medal for achieving targets under family planning and national small savings.

General Manager, UP State Cement Corporation, Mirzapur

Commissioned the new wet process cement plant and brought about record capacity utilization and production.

Post Retirement

Current Executive Positions
Board of Directors – Bennett Coleman University
Adviser – PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Advising the PHD chamber of Commerce and Industry in all their initiatives associated with industry, trade and entrepreneurship.
Chairman - Indo Latin Chamber of Commerce
Chairman - Policy Think Tank : Advising the government on various aspects of policy formulation and implementation.
Chairman - Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Foundation: Leading the organization dedicated to spreading the ideals and values of late Indian president Dr. Kalam.
Chairman - Mission Sushiksha of I-Care Foundation: A mission dedicated to improving the quality of primary education in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Published works

Alok Ranjan has published two books on administration.
- The Collector Today – Challenges of District Administration.
- Towards Adult Literacy in India.
He has also written several articles for Times of India, Hindustan Times and Economic Times. To read articles written by Alok Ranjan, please visit his website @ http://ranjanalok.com.

Other Positions

Serving President – Lucknow Management Association.
Serving President – U.P Badminton Association.
Serving Vice President – Indian Badminton Association.
Adjunct Professor - University of Lucknow.
Adjunct Professor - Shakuntala Mishra University, Lucknow.
Adjunct Professor - BBD University, Lucknow.
Also, served as the State Coordinator for INTACH.