Leadership Transition in Kalimpong: New DM Takes Charge as Outgoing DM Bids Farewell

KalimNews, Kalimpong, October 29, 2025: In a significant administrative development, Kalimpong District witnessed a formal change of leadership with the transfer of two District Magistrates. On October 28, the official release and joining ceremony for the new District Magistrate took place at the Kalimpong District Magistrate’s office. The occasion saw local people’s representatives and officials from various departments, offices, and social organizations bidding farewell to the outgoing DM, Balasubramanian T., while extending a warm welcome to the newly appointed DM, Kuhuk Bhushan.

Kuhuk Bhushan, an IAS officer from the 2015 batch of the West Bengal cadre, now takes charge as the District Magistrate of Kalimpong. A distinguished officer with an impeccable record, Kuhuk Bhushan has earned accolades for her contributions to public service. Originally from Rajasthan, she completed her M.A. in Public Management and has a remarkable academic background. She secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 91 in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination in 2015.

Bhushan’s career spans various significant roles. Prior to her appointment in Kalimpong, she served as the Additional District Magistrate (L.R.) of Hooghly until February 2024, followed by her posting as ADM of Purba Bardhaman until September 2024. In September 2024, she was promoted as Special Secretary in the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, with an additional charge as State Mission Director and CEO of the West Bengal State Rural Livelihood Mission. Bhushan has also been part of prestigious training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy of Administration in Mussorie, where she was awarded the Director’s Gold Medal in Management and Behavioral Science.

Her early career saw her posting as Assistant Secretary in the Finance Ministry of the Government of India in 2017, before joining the West Bengal government as Assistant Magistrate and Deputy Collector of North 24 Parganas in 2018. She later took on roles as Joint Secretary in the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Additional Collector in Paschim Medinipur, and was promoted to ADM of Hooghly in 2023. Bhushan’s leadership skills and dedication to governance are already well-recognized in West Bengal.

On the other hand, the outgoing District Magistrate of Kalimpong, Balasubramanian T., a 2013-batch IAS officer from Tamil Nadu, is being transferred to Dakshin Dinajpur. Balasubramanian, aged 45, holds a degree in Electronics from the University of Madras. His career trajectory has seen him in diverse roles in the state and central governments. After completing his training at LBSNAA Mussoorie in 2015, Balasubramanian served in the Department of Power as Assistant Secretary at the Central Government before returning to the West Bengal government as an OSD in Personnel and General Administration.

He went on to serve as an Executive Magistrate in Murshidabad and as Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) in Jangipore. In 2022, he was appointed as Special Secretary in the Finance Department and later took over as District Magistrate of Kalimpong in September 2023. During his tenure, Balasubramanian made notable contributions to the district’s administrative framework, which earned him praise from local leaders and citizens.

The official ceremony also saw Kalimpong MLA Ruden Sada Lepcha bidding farewell to Balasubramanian T. and thanking him for his valuable contributions during his tenure. Lepcha also extended a warm welcome to Kuhuk Bhushan, expressing hope for continued progress in the district under her leadership. Many of the administrative heads in the district, including the ADM and SDO, have also been transferred, and they were acknowledged for their support and cooperation during their time in Kalimpong.

Lepcha expressed gratitude to the outgoing officials and highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong working relationship between the administration and the public. The event also witnessed the presence of other officers from the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), who praised the leadership of both Balasubramanian and Bhushan.

The smooth transition of leadership is expected to bring continued development to Kalimpong, with a focus on strengthening local governance and serving the people effectively under Kuhuk Bhushan’s leadership.