Two women KAS Officers from Mysuru in the race for coveted seat K.R. Rakshith transferred as Private Secretary to UD Minister Dr. Yathindra
Mysuru – It is official. The D.K. Shivakumar Government has appointed K.R. Rakshith, who was serving as Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) Special Land Acquisition Officer and in-charge MDA Commissioner, as Private Secretary to Urban Development (UD) Minister Dr. Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Meanwhile, hectic lobbying has begun for the MDA Commissioner’s post, with two senior KAS officers from Mysuru reportedly in the race for the coveted position. However, the final decision rests with the Shivakumar-led Government.
On June 6, Star of Mysore had reported that Rakshith was likely to be appointed as the Minister’s Private Secretary, linking the development to late-night administrative activity on June 4, when MDA staff reportedly worked beyond midnight to complete formalities ahead of his new assignment, according to sources.
The official transfer order, issued on June 8, was signed by Under-Secretary K.H. Keshavaprasad and released in the name of the Governor of Karnataka.
Rakshith, who has extensive experience in land acquisition and urban development matters, has been transferred with immediate effect to the Minister’s office. He is expected to take charge on June 11 after being relieved from MDA on June 10. He will function from Vidhana Soudha, with his office located adjacent to the Minister’s chamber.
Hectic lobbying for MDA post
The MDA Commissioner’s post is considered a highly sought-after position, given the officer’s significant role in Mysuru’s urban development and planning decisions.
Following the reconstitution of the erstwhile Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) into the Mysuru Development Authority (MDA), the State Government removed elected representatives from its board, placing it under a structure headed by officers with the Deputy Commissioner as Chairman.
The move was aimed at improving transparency and reducing political interference after allegations of irregularities in MUDA, which came under scrutiny from agencies including the Lokayukta, CID and the Enforcement Directorate.
Women officers in the race
Earlier, IAS Officers were typically appointed as MUDA Commissioners. In the present structure, KAS Officers are posted to the MDA Commissioner’s role, making it a key administrative posting in Mysuru’s urban governance.
Sources said two senior KAS Officers — University of Mysore Registrar M.K. Savitha and Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority Secretary M.J. Roopa — are among those who have expressed keen interest and lobbying in the post.
If either Savitha or Roopa is appointed, MDA will get its first woman Commissioner since its reconstitution as MDA.
Siddu’s influence
Earlier, postings of officers in the Mysuru region and the city in particular were largely influenced during the tenure of former CM Siddaramaiah.
Sources say officers often approached Siddaramaiah’s close confidant Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa, seeking plum postings, with Mahadevappa in turn playing a key role in influencing decisions.
However, with Siddaramaiah now out of direct control over such administrative transfers, his influence over postings is said to have significantly reduced.
At the same time, D.K. Shivakumar, who is currently in the CM’s chair, has not yet accommodated Dr. Mahadevappa in his Cabinet, further altering the power dynamics in the process of key appointments.
As a result, the final authority in appointing the MDA Commissioner now rests with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Sources also indicate that officers who have direct access or proximity to the Chief Minister are better positioned to secure such influential postings. It remains to be seen who will eventually be appointed to the coveted MDA Commissioner’s post.
This post was published on June 9, 2026 7:30 pm