Deepak Singhal removed as UP chief secretary

Lucknow: In a sudden move, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday removed Chief Secretary Deepak Singhal. Principal Secretary (Finance) Rahul Bhatnagar replaced him. Officials refused to comment on the removal of Singhal, who was made Chief Secretary on July 6. He was earlier the Principal Secretary (Irrigation). Informed sources said while Singhal had endeared himself to the Chief Minister, he invited his ire after he attended a dinner thrown by Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh in New Delhi on Saturday. The development, many feel, could trigger a storm of sorts as Singhal was considered close to PWD Minister Shivpal Singh Yadav and Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav.