Despite the continuing tussles within the lower bureaucracy in Himachal Pradesh, a recent closed-door meeting at the state secretariat indicated a rare moment of harmony at the top. According to officials aware of the developments, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu lauded Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta for his proactive administrative handling and steady leadership amid ongoing turf issues between various departments. The CM reportedly appreciated Gupta’s role in ensuring policy continuity and streamlining governance processes, especially in developmental projects that had faced bureaucratic delays. The praise is being viewed in bureaucratic circles as a signal of the CM’s confidence in the senior-most officer, even as challenges remain within the lower rungs of the administrative machinery. Insiders suggest the chief secretary’s ability to maintain coordination with district-level officers despite persistent factionalism has helped preserve the momentum of key initiatives in the hill state.