Lucknow, Feb. 28 -- Awanish Kumar Awasthi, the retired IAS officer who is advisor to chief minister Yogi Adityanath, got a one-year extension on Friday, the fourth since his appointment to the post in September 2022. In an order on Friday, Vijay Kumar, special secretary, UP appointment department, said the state government has decided to grant extension to Awasthi from March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027. Awasthi, a trusted aide of the CM, retired from the IAS on August 31, 2022. In September 2022, the state government appointed him advisor to the CM till February 28, 2023. Later, he received an extension till February 2024 followed by a second one till February 2025. He was given the third extension as advisor to CM till February 2026. Before retirement, Awasthi served as additional chief secretary, home. He also held charge of the UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), energy, religious affairs, jail administration and reforms, vigilance, confidential and visa passport departments. Known for his administrative experience and policy coordination, he played an active role in implementing the state government's key decisions. Awasthi accompanied chief minister Yogi Adityanath on his trip to Singapore and Japan to attract investment in UP.htc...