by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Modi extends tenure of three favourites
Kulbe to stay in PMO
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, March 11
Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to extend the tenure of three senior officers including powerful Secretary in the PMO Bhaskar Chandra Kulbe.
It transpires that Kulbe who is an IAS officer of West Bengal Cadre and posted in the PMO as Secretary, has been given an extension for a period of six months. Kulbe is due to retire on March 31, 2019. But Modi decided to retain him at least six months keeping in view the announcement of General Elections.
Kulbe is considered PM's favourite officers handling key areas. In the event of Modi returning to power, Kulbe is bound to stay put like P K Mishra Deputy Principal Secretary and NSA Ajit Doval. Insiders in the PMO say that principal secretary Nripendra Mishra may make room for the junior Mishra in the new dispensation.
Parmeswaran Iyer who took voluntary retirement from the IAS long time ago and brought on contract basis as full secretary to the government of India in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation three years ago, has also been given an extension for a period of one year. He was to superannuate on April 30.
Sitanshu Ranjan Kar, principal DG, Press Information Bureau, has also been given six months extension beyond March 31.
Only last Sunday, the PM undertook a major reshuffle of secretaries in the government affecting as many as 11 departments. Ms Rajni Sekhri Sibal (IAS:1986:Haryana) became the first Secretary of Department of Fisheries recently carved from the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries specially created by the PM.
Ends
