The Centre has appointed IAS officer Sanjeev Khirwar as the new Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), marking his return to the capital after three years. Khirwar, along with his wife Rinku Dugga, had earlier made headlines for walking their dog in Delhi’s Thyagaraj Stadium, a controversy that led to his transfer to Ladakh.

As MCD Commissioner, Khirwar will oversee the corporation’s day-to-day operations, implement policies, and ensure coordination among various departments. Among the pressing challenges he faces is the management of Delhi’s street dogs, a subject currently under Supreme Court scrutiny involving debates between dog-feeders and public safety advocates. Creating shelters, improving public health and sanitation, and addressing stray dog-related issues will be among his priorities.

Authorities suggest that Khirwar’s appointment could leverage his unique experience in handling urban animal-related issues, potentially serving as a model for specialised deployment of civil servants. His return also highlights the government’s intent to utilise officers’ expertise and extracurricular skills in addressing specific administrative challenges.