Decorated IAS officer and BMC commissioner-administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal has been empanelled to the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

Chahal has been credited with controlling of the Covid-19 pandemic in the city through the famous ‘Mumbai Model’, winning the praise from the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court.
 
Speaking to Governance Now, Chahal said, “Empanelment does not mean posting but eligibility to occupy the post of Secretary to the Government of India as and when an officer wishes to opt for it. Without empanelment an officer is not considered for Secretary level assignment in the Government of India. This is one of the most important milestones in the career of an IAS officer.” He added that it is not transfer or posting.

Meanwhile, Chahal has been the subject of a book-length study. ‘Iqbal Singh Chahal -Covid Warrior’, by veteran journalist Minhaz Merchant, was launched by Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday. It documents the inside story of how Chahal and his team created the ‘Mumbai Model’ of fighting Covid-19.

Chahal has received several national and international awards for his exemplary work in controlling Covid-19 and his work has also been acknowledged by the US Congress.