by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

NSA Doval given Cabinet Rank, 5 year term

Principal Secretary Mishra keeping fingers crossed

P K Mishra may be promoted

Shake up in PMO likely

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, June 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first move to restructure the PMO by granting Cabinet status to his most trusted lieutenant Ajit Doval cabinet status and five more years as the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Since the posts of the NSA, Principal Secretary Nripendra Mishra and Deputy Principal Secretary P K Mishra are co-terminus with the tenure of the PM, the first order was issued giving second term to Doval and a promotion.

With this promotion an anomaly has also been ratified as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is 1977 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) while Doval is 1968 batch of the Indian Police Service (IPS). In a major over-haul of the foreign affairs ministry, Modi decided to bring an expert from outside who had joined the TATA on a big salary two years ago. Modi decided not to induct Sushma Swaraj into his team of Top 4 for some unexplained reasons and brought Jaishankar who didn't have too cordial a relationship with her.

Thus giving Cabinet rank to Doval, Modi has recognised his contribution in the national security domain. In the reporting apparatus, Doval is equivalent to the status granted to Home Minister Amit Shah and S Jaishankar though technically both of them are senior in Order of Precedence. With the induction of heavyweight Amit Shah into the Home Ministry, the role of Ajit Doval in internal security affairs will obviously be advisory only. The Intelligence Bureau's first point of reporting will be Home Minister and not the NSA. Similarly, Jaishankar is an old hand in foreign affairs where Doval's role will be much reduced.

Now all eyes are set on the next announcement of Nripendra Mishra who is also hoping for an extra five year term. However, insiders in the PMO say that prospects of his continuation are not bright and he may be made a Governor later. P K Mishra, deputy Principal secretary, who is loyalist and man of high integrity may be promoted, these sources say.

Ends