What’s if a senior Indian government official has a toothache in Kuala Lumpur?

SOUNDS funny, but an Indian government official flying to Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur in June for a training programme will be in trouble if he or she has a major dental problem during the three weeks long stay there. The government of Malaysia under Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme will pay the selected Indian government officials the return airfare and medical treatment but “dental treatment is restricted to extraction and filling which must be carried out in government hospitals and clinics”, according to a training DoPT circular dated April 9, 2012.

What does this really mean? Is there a suspicion that...

a smart government official could tweak the system and place artificial teeth at the Malaysian government expenses! Or what else?

The programme, however, is considered to be good for mid-career Indian bureaucrats who have a long innings to go. The selected group of government officers is expected to pick up a few tips on leadership qualities and ability on organizational management. They will be trained between June 21 and July 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur.

Any Indian government official with 10 years of experience and with less than 45 years of age can apply for the programme. The applicants will have to write a brief note of 50 to 100 words about why he or she should be considered for the training.

The food, lodging and per diem for the selected group will be provided by National Institute of Public Administration.

The last date of application is April 23, 2012.

Action and Appointments

a) Karma R Bonpo, a 2010 batch Manipur-Tripura cadre IAS, has been transferred to Sikkim cadre under the special North-East policy.

b) Subramanyam Vijay Kumar, rural development secretary and 1976 batch Himachal Pradesh cadre IAS, will hold additional charge of drinking water department in absence of 1977 batch Gujarat cadre IAS Vilasini Ramachandran who is on leave till May 12, 2012.

c) Rakesh Kumar, a 1992 batch Uttarakhand cadre IAS, has been appointed as joint secretary in the ministry of health and family welfare. Kumar has so far been a director in the same department.

d) Commerce secretary Rahul Khullar has been holding additional charge of DIPP secretary after PK Chaudhery was appointed as Haryana chief secretary.

e) Viswas Mehta, a 1986 batch Kerala cadre IAS, has been appointed as joint secretary in the ministry of health and family welfare.