Uncertainty over next Cabinet Secretary continues

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Uncertainty over next Cabinet Secretary continues

Rajiv Gauba tops the race

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, July 25

With the appointment of Ajay Bhalla as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Union Home Ministry, the spot light has shifted on the next Cabinet Secretary. It was widely speculated that the government will also announce the road map for the next Cabinet Secretary as current incumbent P K Sinha retires on September 12 after serving for more than four years. P K Sinha was even given an extra-ordernary extension of three months in June which surprised bureaucracy watchers. It was felt that if the government wanted to promote present Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba as the next Cabinet Secretary it could have done it straight way by appointing him as the OSD. But the delay occurred as the government was not sure who should be the next Home Secretary. The new Home Minister Amit Shah was new in his job and wanted time to understand the functioning of the Home Ministry. He wanted Rajiv Gauba to stay for a couple of months in the Home Ministry as part of the continuity and updating. Having accomplished the task in the home ministry, it was expected that orders for Gauba's promotion to the Cabinet Secretary as OSD would be issued. However, these sources say that Gauba's orders may still come within the next three to four weeks once Dr Ajay Bhalla gets adequate experience to take over as Home Secretary next month. Ajay Bhalla made his mark in the Power Secretary by ensuring that power is supplied to each village of the country. The Prime Minister was particularly happy with his performance and reportedly selected him for the Home ministry.

Bureaucrats are keeping their fingers crossed as no one is sure who will be the next Cabinet Secretary. Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundaram who was also in the reckoning for promotion as Cabinet Secretary is also set to retire on August 31 as her successor has also been named. It is also clear that P K Sinha who was given extraordinary extension in June will not get another extension. But uncertainty continues for some more time. 

special report : Who will Country's Top Spy ? Modi to decide

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

special report

Who will Country's Top Spy ? Modi to decide

Aruna Sundaram in race to be new Cabinet Secretary

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, June 25

All eyes are set on the two crucial posts to be filled by the Modi government- Cabinet Secretary and Director, Intelligence Bureau. Both occupants of these vital posts were given extensions in 2018 itself since General Elections were due. Since these are fixed terms posts, extensions were given to P K Sinha (Cabinet Secretary) and Rajiv Jain ( IB Director) adhering to conventions so that a new government is free to bring officers of its choice. Therefore, it was expected that once re-elected, Modi will induct new officers to these two key posts after assuming charge on May 30.

But in a surprise development, incumbent P K Sinha was given three months extension days before the Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba was set to be promoted. In order to extend the tenure of Sinha by three months, the Modi government even amended 40 year rule as well. Now uncertainty has crept in as Rajiv Gauba, an IAS officer of the 1982 batch of Jharkhand cadre, will retire on August 30 while Sinha's extended tenure will end on September 12.

No one is sure in the bureaucracy if Gauba will be promoted though he is rated very high. Insiders in the government say that this may open sea of opportunities for another brilliant officer Aruna Sundararajan who is Telecom Secretary and Chairman of the Telecom Commission. A 1982 batch IAS officer from Kerala Cadre, Ms Sundararajan, is one of the most senior civil servants of the IAS.

Similarly, uncertainty continues in the country's premier intelligence agency, the IB where its director Rajiv Jain was given three months' extension. He was lready on six months' extension and rewarded with another three months jeopardising the prospects of senior-most number two Arvind Kumar, an IPS officer of 1984 batch of Assam-Meghalaya cadre. While other senior officers have already retired in IB as Rajiv Jain was given two consecutive extensions.

If cources are to be believed, the name of Rakesh Asthana, an IPS officer of DG rank, is being discussed for the top post. He is considered close to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Since IB directly reports to Amit Shah after the change of guards at the North Block, sources say that the new Home Minister is pushing for his favourite officer.

Ends