A new police think-tank is born; former DGP Prakash Singh, banker Deepak Parekh, ex-home secretary GK Pillai among others on driving seat

ON Police Commemoration Day today (Oct 21), a new think tank is born –The Police Foundation and Institute. Formally inaugurated today, it is a police research institute with an idea of bringing together police, other bureaucrats, academia, lawyers, media, business and civil society leaders—all in one platform. Chaired by ex-IPS and former DGP of Assam and Uttar Pradesh Prakash Singh, the executive committee of the think-tank includes veteran banker and non-executive chairman of HDFC Deepak Parekh, former home secretary GK Pillai, two former Intelligence Bureau directors viz…

Will two ex-IAS officers be able to ring-fence MCX and MCX-SX from Jignesh Shah and Rs 5,600 crore-NSEL fiasco?

Pillai (top) and Mishra

WILL two highly efficient retired IAS officers, former chief information commissioner Satyananda Mishra and former home and commerce secretary GK Pillai, be able to keep the batting Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited (MCX) and MCX Stock Exchange Limited (MCX-SX), at an arm’s length of Financial Technologies group founder Jignesh Shah and Rs 5,600 crore-NSEL scam? Mishra, a...

Is GK Pillai heading for Goa as Governor?

GK Pillai, a 1972 batch IAS who has just retired as Union home secretary, could be appointed as Governor of Goa. Pillai, who withdrew his candidature for the post of Central Vigilance Commissioner at the last moment, is told that he would be made the Governor either of Goa or of a North-East state, sources said.

If he is appointed as Goa governor, he would replace 82-year-old Shivinder Singh Sidhu who became Governor of Manipur in August 2004, and then Governor of Goa from July 8, 2008. Sidhu is a 1952 batch retired IAS.

Though Pillai made a section of the establishment unhappy because of his outspoken nature, he is widely seen as an honest and outstanding officer. If sources in the corridors of power are to be believed, Pillai is bound to get a post-retirement government assignment. Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, a 1973 batch IFS, will head for Washington as India’s ambassador to US after her retirement, and defence secretary Pradeep Kumar will go straight to the CVC’s office after he retires at the end of the month. Even Pillai’s wife Sudha Pillai who was a cabinet secretary contender two years ago, was made Member Secretary of Planning Commission at the rank of a minister of state after her retirement.

Action and Appointments

a) The tenure of Cabinet secretariat’s joint secretary Govind Mohan, a 1989 batch Sikkim cadre IAS, has been extended for a period of one year beyond July 8, 2011. Before joining the cabinet secretariat, Mohan was joint secretary in department of economic affairs under finance ministry handling Public Private Partnership among others.

b) VN Rai, a 1977 batch Haryana cadre IPS, presently serving as additional director general, BSF has been appointed as special director general, BSF.

c) The Central deputation tenure of Vineet Garg, a 1991 batch Haryana cadre IAS, has been extended for three months beyond May 28, 2011. He is currently a director in the ministry of shipping.

Will 5000 more tapped conversations be on public domain? Home secretary GK Pillai hints at such a possibility

GK Pillai, India’s most outspoken bureaucrat and home secretary of the country, said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal that corporate lobbyist Niira Radia tapes that got leaked to the Indian media barely scratch the surface of the stuff that will be at the heart of the government’s investigation. In a Wall Street Journal article titled, “Pillai: Real Radia tapes are coming”, home secretary was quoted as saying that all the Radia tapes might become public at some point anyway as the Supreme Court has asked for a full set of copies and can be petitioned to release them eventually. Then, “you can’t do pick and choose,” he said. “Everything will come out,” the US-based financial daily quoted Pillai as saying.

Pillai did not however mention how it got leaked as the government is currently investigating the leakage to the media. Pillai is a 1972 batch IAS officer and a batch-mate of India’s Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai who was instrumental in bringing the entire 2G spectrum scam into the forefront by calculating that the doling out of spectrum without auction could lead to a loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the government.

Roughly 100 tapes containing “juicy elements” got leaked to the media, but the remaining 5,000-plus recordings contain the details which would assist investigators, Pillai told the newspaper, adding that the parts that have come out are not really connected to the investigation. He further said that many honchos of India Inc. have called him to figure out whether they are being tapped.

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Is your phone being tapped?

About 6,000 to 8,000 wiretaps happen all the time. Home secretary needs to give a go-ahead for tapping any phone conversation. It must be for the purpose of an investigation, and investigators need to submit some evidence in the form of a document, an email or bank statement etc. that a suspect has done something illegal. Once the home secretary gives permission, it remains valid for 60 days, but if more conversations need to be tapped, the permission is to be renewed. Home secretary’s authorization of phone tapping is reviewed every two weeks by a committee of secretary comprising cabinet secretary, telecom secretary and law secretary. Phones of elected Members, whether MPs or MLAs are not being tapped by law, but if they happen to talk to someone whose phone is being tapped, the MP or the MLA would also be caught in the process.

Pillai’s US Comments: But bureaucrats call him ‘No non-sense officer”

AFTER a couple of months’ interval, here is yet another controversial straight talk from India’s home secretary and 1972 batch IAS, GK Pillai, forcing US establishment to react to his statements on India’s disappointment with US over non-sharing of information on Lashkar-e-Toiba operative David Coleman Headley, the main accursed of Mumbai terror attack two years ago.
Pillai’s straight talk and tough actions have earned him many an enemy both in political and business circle, but he is becoming an icon among bright young bureaucrats who would like to move up the ladder and make a difference to Indian babudom. Pillai’s earlier comments on Pakistan intelligence ISI’s role in Mumbai attack had virtually collapsed India-Pakistan talks at the level of external affairs ministers, but he earned accolade from a section of politicians and bureaucrats because he was armed with enough evidences and what he said was perceived to be accurate. In August, he openly gave instances how forest officials had developed close networks with Naxal, a statement which created tensions among Indian Forest Service officials.

But Pillai, who as commerce secretary pushed Special Economic Zones and became darling of India Inc., has lost popularity among corporate India thanks to his tough positioning against Blackberry-maker RIM and a few other tech companies. Yet, BoI team which met a number of IAS, IFS, IPS and IRS officers from cabinet secretariat, external affairs ministry, finance ministry etc. over the last one month has got one response. The bureaucrats irrespective of their services and cadres, have termed GK Pillai “a no non-sense officer”.

Regarding his latest salvo, the timing itself is controversial as US president Barack Obama is set to visit India in a week’s time. Pillai said India was disappointed because specific information after 26/11 would have helped Indian agencies apprehend Headley in India itself. Pillai’s comments forced US ambassador to India, Timothy J Roemer, say that US provided regular and consistent information to India both before and after the Mumbai attack.

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Pillai objects forest officials meeting with Naxals

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Action and Appointments

a) SK Roongta, former chairman, SAIL, has been appointed as non-official part-time director on the Board of Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) for a period of three years.

b) The Central Vigilance Commission advised imposition of major penalty against 86 officers including 27 from ministry of railways, 13 from Canara Bank, 11 from department of telecommunications, 8 from Central Board of Excise and Customs, 6 from State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, 4 from Delhi Development Authority and 3 from Employees Provident Fund Organization.

c) Lt Gen S Ravi Shankar, commissioned into Corps of Engineers (Madras Sappers) in 1972, has taken over as the Director General of Border Roads. A recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal, the General Officer is an alumnus of National Defence Academy Khadakvasla, Pune, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, College of Military Engg, Pune, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Army War College, Mhow.

“Medalists” In Corridors Of Power: Bureaucrats who worked hard to make Commonwealth Games a success

AS THE Commonwealth Games in Delhi came to an end on Thursday with a truly exceptional closing ceremony, BoI (babusofindia.com) presents some of the unsung heroes of Indian bureaucracy who deserve the same applause as our sportspersons do. Whether it’s home secretary GK Pillai or cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar, or even DD director general and 1982 batch IAS Aruna Sharma, some Indian bureaucrats have worked hard on and off-the-field to make this mega sporting event a success story. Here are the medalists from Great Indian bureaucracy!

Team Pillai

Home secretary GK Pillai, a 1972 batch Kerala cadre IAS, deserves more applause than anyone else. Even the establishment and people at large had apprehensions that there could be some kind of terror incidents before or during the Games. But thanks to professionalism brought in by home minister P Chidambaram and his deputy, home secretary GK Pillai into Indian security scenario, such apprehensions were put to rest. For spin doctors in North Block, the attempt was not just to create a security apparatus for the Games per se, but to strengthen policing in the entire country. And the strategy worked well. Those who know Pillai closely would call him a “no nonsense officer” who would not compromise on any issue that might create lapses in security matters. The Blackberry episode is a classic example.

Also, Delhi police commissioner YS Dadwal, a 1974 batch IPS and Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Ajay Chadha, a 1977 batch IPS deserve special mention. Mr Chadha who was a young officer posted in Arunchal Pradesh during 1982 Asian Games, has made the traffic arrangement so smooth before the Commonwealth Games that Delhiites themselves were pleasantly surprised.
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Chandrasekhar and his B-Team

When Dr Manmohan Singh took out his trump card – an army of 10 IAS officers under cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar to manage the biggest sporting extravaganza in the final lap of the run-up to the controversy-ridden Commonwealth Games, BoI (babusofindia.com) hailed it the biggest victory of Indian bureaucracy. Except a few hiccups, B (bureaucrats)-team of the cabinet secretary performed upto the mark and took many an on-spot decision thanks to the PM’s decision to make the bureaucrats’ committee an “empowered” one. The B-team included additional secretary of the department of telecom (DoT) Subodh Kumar, 1978 batch Gujarat cadre IAS SR Rao, additional secretary in urban development ministry RC Misra and 1982 batch UP cadre IAS JS Deepak to name a few. (Read: Who are these bureaucrats on Commonwealth duties?) The last but not the least is the role played by principal secretary to PM, TKA Nair, a retired bureaucrat of 1963 batch.

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Unsung Heroes

Though some bureaucrats have hogged the limelight thanks to their designated roles in the run-up to the Games, there are many who worked behind-the-scene to make the Games a success. From day one, there were many regulatory bottlenecks and those could be removed only by bureaucrats of various departments. There are serving and retired bureaucrats (Jarnail Singh, a 1974 batch IAS officer of Manipur-Tripura cadre, for example, was the CEO of the Organizing Committee) who are very much a part of Kalmadi’s team. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) was Vijay Kumar Gautam, a 1987 batch Maharashtra cadre IAS officer who was an observer in the Melbourne’06 and Beijing’08 Games. Suresh Kalmadi in his speech during the closing ceremony of the Games did mention about DG of Doordarshan, Aruna Sharma, a 1982 batch IAS, who was instrumental in brining the DD platform into a high definition (HD) one.

Welcome to these “gold medalists” from corridors of power…

BoI list of 5 Most Powerful Bureaucrats, 2010, is out; 3 IAS, 1 IRS and 1 IFS figure

THE final BoI (babusofindia.com) list of 5 Most Powerful Bureaucrats in India, 2010, is out. Based on feedback from over 50 bureaucrats and politicians in corridors of power in Delhi, BoI Team has prepared the list which has three IAS, one IRS and one IFS officer. These bureaucrats, who wield tremendous power and have capacity to influence key government decisions, have derived their power not because of the posts they hold, but thanks to their proactive and at times controversial way of pushing matters ahead. In corridors of power, you can criticize each one of them for some decision or the other, but you can’t simply ignore any one of them. Welcome to the world of power babus.

No 1: KM Chandrasekhar

The Prime Minister’s recent decision to bestow overriding power to cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar-headed committee to monitor Commonwealth Games is just one of many instances of how “soft spoken”, “non-interfering” and “mild” Cab Sec has asserted himself during the last one year as the most powerful bureaucrat in India. His serial extension as India’s top bureaucrat even at the cost of making new rules and causing heartburns to his juniors, has vindicated his clout in the government and demonstrated PM’s growing confidence on him. (Read: Why is Chandrasekhar powerful?)

No 2: TKA Nair

A 1963 batch retired IAS, working as principal secretary to PM since May 2004, TKA Nair, is ranked No 2 in the BoI’s (babusofindia.com) list of 5 Most Powerful Bureaucrats second time in a row. From managing crisis for the Prime Minister, meeting ministers on behalf of the PM to taking the viewpoints of top corporate honchos on all policy matters, Nair is still the man of the moment in PMO. (Read: Nair as Henry Kissinger style bureaucrat)

No 3: GK Pillai

Union home secretary GK Pillai is quite assertive, vocal and even non-diplomatic at times when questions of internal security become a priority. Pillai, a 1972 batch Kerala cadre IAS, is ranked 3rd in BoI’s list of 5 Most Powerful Bureaucrats, 2010. Pillai and his boss P Chidambaram are now gearing up for a fool-proof security arrangement for the biggest sporting extravaganza in India, the Commonwealth Games. For Pillai, Games provide an opportunity to make him a true game-changer. (Read: Is Pillai a game-changer?)

No 4: Sudhir Chandra

When 400 taxmen carried out a massive search operation across properties of former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda last year to trace his Rs 2000 cr allegedly unaccounted assets, a tax hound sitting at his North Block office was instructing everybody how to be extremely polite in handling the operation, but at the same time be as courageous as “Rani of Jhansi”. Sudhir Chandra, Member, Investigation of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) is the 4th Most Powerful Bureaucrat in the list, and undoubtedly the most surprising candidate. But he is the driving force for making IRS no-lesser mortal in front of IAS. (Read: What makes Sudhir Chandra a powerful bureaucrat?)

No 5: Nirupama Rao

Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, the second woman IFS officer to clinch that coveted post, is suave, polite and as the profession demands “highly diplomatic”. For over one year now, she has been instrumental in motivating her colleagues to act like economic ambassadors of the nation and paint a good image of the country. Her firefighting in GK Pillai’s “ISI remark” episode which had resulted into the collapse of India-Pakistan foreign minister level talks, was the most remarkable during the recent time. She walked across the road to North Block to have a cup of tea with Pillai demonstrating real-diplomacy inside Raisina Hills! 

PillaiSpeak: Home secretary’s “paragliders” remark in a Canadian newspaper draws international media attention

HOME secretary GK Pillai’s reported remark that militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba had bought “as many as 150 paragliders” from China and the Gulf to launch attack during the Commonwealth Games, has attracted Western media’s attention. The Canadian newspaper, The Star, which broke the story, mentioned how Pillai said in an interview on Tuesday that “it’s very worrisome” that the paragliders were bought to launch airborne attacks on athletes, tourists and visiting politicians at the Commonwealth Games.
The paper has further elaborated how paragliders are controlled by a pilot who’s suspended on a harness under a special controllable parachute. Modern paragliders can travel as many as 500 kilometres and stay in the air for up to 11 hours.

An Wall Street Journal item, in an analytical piece, has drawn a comparison between a typical Indian bureaucrat versus Pillai. “India’s bureaucrats are generally known for being pretty tight-lipped. When they give press conferences, they often stick to repeating well-established policy mantra. When they grant one-on-one interviews, they’re quick to insist that large chunks of it are off-the-record or can only be attributed to “a source.” Even official spokesmen frequently request anonymity while stating little more than basic fact…But GK Pillai, the country’s top security civil servant, appears to be cut from different material,” the WSJ report said. 

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India’s home secretary GK Pillai is 3rd Most Powerful Bureaucrat: BoI report

SOUNDS odd, but the last year’s list of 5 Most Powerful Bureaucrats, brought out by babusofindia.com did not figure country’s home secretary GK Pillai. He was quite an important secretary even then, but home minister P Chidambaram’s handholding style of functioning did not allow anyone including Pillai to emerge as a powerful bureaucrat, at least in public domain.
Now, Pillai is quite assertive, vocal and even non-diplomatic at times when questions of internal security become a priority. Pillai, a 1972 batch Kerala cadre IAS, is ranked 3^rd in BoI’s list of 5 Most Powerful Bureaucrats, 2010, based on feedback of senior civil servants and politicians who are insiders of Delhi’s corridor of power. He is ranked behind just cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar and principal secretary to PM, TKA Nair, making yet another point that three most powerful Indian bureaucrats happen to be from Kerala.

Pillai’s recent remarks about ISI’s role in Mumbai terror attack might have virtually derailed the foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, but no one in India has questioned Pillai’s overtures though many observers strongly criticized foreign minister SM Krishna’s silence during Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi equating Pillai with Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed. After all, Pillai’s statement was not only correct in content, but exposed a harsh reality that mere diplomatic overtures without having any change at the ground have just academic values. Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, who came in support to Pillai after the failed talks, walked across the road to North Block to meet the home secretary in person and buried all confusions over a cup of tea. (Read: Nirupama Rao on Pillai)

Pillai was equally blatant when he openly aired another explosive statement saying that some of the senior forest officials living in Naxal areas are attending meetings organized by banned Maoist outfits, in addition to not passing over information about happenings there, raising a serious security concern of the North Block. (Read: Pillai’s straight talk on Naxals, SEZ and NE). He is now clamping down on Black Berry mobile services which cannot be intercepted by security agencies.

Interestingly, Pillai himself is connected 24x7, and according to reports, he is always first to receive any major incident, the Mangalore plane crash being one of those. His wife, Sudha Pillai, also a 1972 batch Kerala cadre IAS, is now Member Secretary in Planning Commission at the rank of a minister of state.

Pillai and his boss -- home minister P Chidambaram, who have brought down incidents of terror through a number of proactive measures, are now gearing up for a fool-proof security arrangement for the biggest sporting extravaganza in India, the Commonwealth Games. For Pillai, Games provide an opportunity to make him a true game-changer. 

Now, Pillai publicly objects forest officials attending meetings held by Naxals

HOME secretary GK Pillai is back in action, with yet another explosive statement. He said some of the senior forest officials living in Naxal areas are attending meetings organized by banned Maoist outfits, in addition to not passing over information about happenings there, raising a serious security concern of the North Block.

Only recently, Pillai’s statement about ISI’s direct role in Mumbai attacks on the eve of India-Pakistan foreign minister level talks virtually derailed the process, leading foreign minister SM Krishna repeatedly mentioning about the ill-timing of his statement. But no one including the Pakistani side could afford to say that Pillai’s statement was wrong in content.

Now, addressing the 35 District Forest Officials (DFOs) from various Naxal-hit areas, Pillai said on Saturday that forest officers were not co-operating in providing information about Naxals’ grouping in jungles and collecting arms and ammunition. He further objected about forest officers’ attending meetings organized by banned Maoists groups. He even cited an example in which a forest official in July attended a meeting organised by the extremists at Sunabeda sanctuary in Orissa. What was further objectionable was that the said officer took his official vehicle to attend the meeting.

(In picture: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with the Forest Service Officers from Naxal affected States, in New Delhi on August 06, 2010).

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A 1978 batch Haryana cadre IAS in a gangrape case

A local court in Chandigarh framed gang rape charges against 1978 batch Haryana cadre IAS and secretary in fisheries department N K Jain. He was charged in an eight-year-old rape case when he was Chandigarh home secretary. An electrical engineer by education, Jain is due to retire in May 2012. 

NDC sidelights: Top bureaucrats gather in the calendar's biggest power event

MEMBER Secretary to Planning Commission Sudha Pillai, who was recently elevated to the rank of a minister of state, played a perfect host at National Development Council meet in New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan on Saturday. Wearing a light pink sari, this 1972 batch Kerala cadre retired IAS was welcoming high profile dignitaries of the NDC meet including Union ministers and state chief ministers before accompanying deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia to welcome Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the venue.
Before PM’s arrival, Ms Pillai was seen exchanging a few words with minister of road transport and highways Kamal Nath who had recently created a controversy by calling the Planning Commission an “armchair adviser”. He husband and home secretary GK Pillai was also seen talking to fellow bureaucrats and saying “hello” to chief minister of Andhra Pradesh K Rosaiah among others. Later, he had a quick lunch before proceeding for the North Block for an important meet with Gorkha leaders.

Before the function began, master bureaucrat and principal adviser to Prime Minister TKA Nair was busy talking to a number of ministers. Another high profile bureaucrat, finance secretary Ashok Chawla, a 1973 batch Gujarat cadre IAS spent some time catching up with fellow bureaucrats and other dignitaries. He was seen talking to a number of officials from other ministries during the lunch too.

At the dining area, food processing secretary Ashok Sinha was called by his minister Subodh Kant Sahai to a corner to discuss about a ministry project when everyone else was enjoying the lunch with peeli dal, chicken curry and fired chicken!

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CAT takes up sacked IAS officers’ cause

The IAS officers, 1983 batch Desh Deepak and 1987 batch Vijender Kumar, who were asked to leave, are now fighting their battle through Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), The CAT has now issued notices to Himachal Pradesh government and Central government to reply to the allegations made by these sacked officers. Desh Deepak, who hails from Delhi and is a doctor by profession before becoming an IAS, had a seven-year tenure left prior to the retirement. For Vijender Kumar, who is also from Himachal Pradesh cadre and originally belongs with UP, would have been retired only in February, 2017. Both the officers have now challenged the government’s order saying the decision as biased and unfair.

Bonanza for rural bank employees

Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee has announced a wage revision of the pay-scale and allowances of the employees of the RRBs corresponding to those of Nationalised Banks according to 9th Bipartite Settlement. The additional cost burden of the arrears on this account would be about Rs 791 crore. 

Dileep Raj S Chaudhary, a 1977 batch IAS, appointed as new MHA spokesperson

ONLY a few days after Union home secretary GK Pillai’s ISI remark created a storm amid India Pakistan foreign ministers’ level talks in Islamabad, the government has decided to appoint a senior IAS officer Dileep Raj S Chaudhary, a 1977 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre official, as spokesperson of ministry of home affairs (MHA). He will now interact with media in a day-to-day basis. Chaudhary is one of the 43 IAS officers of 1977 batch who have been empanelled as secretaries to the government of India. (List of 1977 batch IAS empanelled as secretaries)

Onkar Kedia, an Indian Information Service officer will remain at his current post of MHA spokesperson, but will now assist Chaudhary. Chaudhary who is a postgraduate in political science and had undergone a three-week long short programme in UK in 2004 is currently handling Naxal management at the rank of an additional secretary. He is five batch junior to Pillai.

During NDA regime, PD Shenoy, an IAS officer with an additional secretary rank used to handle media and acted as the official spokesperson of the MHA. LK Advani was then the home minister and Kamal Pande was the home secretary. Significantly, current home secretary Pillai was then a joint secretary in the ministry and aired his voice to the media whenever he felt it necessary.

Action and Appointments

a) The ACC has approved the extension of inter-cadre deputation tenure of Ms Shobha Ohatkar, a 1990 batch Bihar cadre IPS from Bihar cadre to Maharashtra cadre, by two years beyond June 30, 2010, as a special case.

b) The ACC has approved the proposal o the MHA for inter-cadre deputation of Alok Kumar, a 1997 batch JK cadre IPS from Jammu and Kashmir cadre to Bihar cadre.

c) The ACC has approved the proposal of the ministry o environment and forests for inter-cadre deputation of T Gnana Prakash, a 1993 batch Punjab cadre IFS ,from Punjab cadre to Karnataka cadre.

d) The ACC has approved the inter cadre deputation of Ms Deepa D Nair, a 2001 Manipur-Tripura IFS from Manipur-Tripura to Kerala for a period of five years.

e) Ms Mamta Kundra, a 1985 batch IA&AS has been appointed as joint secretary in the Departmentof Personnel and Training (DoPT).

f) JS Deepak, a 1982 batch UP cadre IAS, presently joint secretary in the department of telecommunication, has been appointed as joint secretary in the department of commerce in place of PK Dash, a 1981 batch MP cadre IAS.

g) Nitin Ramesh Gokarn, a 1990 batch UP cadre IAS has been appointed as joint secretary in the ministry of road transport and highways.

Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao strongly defends GK Pillai on ISI remark

INDIA’s home secretary GK Pillai’s remark on ISI’s role in Mumbai attack was strongly defended by foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, a 1973 batch IFS saying that it was “perfectly within his rights” to state the Indian position. Mr Pillai, a 1972 batch Kerala cadre IAS, came under a controversy after Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pillai was making negative comments and even equated him with Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed. And all that took place in a press conference when India’s foreign minister SM Krishna was present there, but did not react to Qureshi’s attack on Pillai.
Back in India, minister Krishna supported Pillai. Also, Ms Rao said there were a “huge number” of journalists in the controversy and in that noise EAM (external affairs minister) did not react.

Both the Congress and the BJP have condemned Qureshi’s remarks on home secretary Pillai. Significantly, Pillai went to Pakistan only last month and held secretary level talks with his Pakistani counterpart.

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Action and Appointments

a) The competent authority has approved that AC Padhi, CMD, NSFDC may be allowed to hold additional charge of the post of CMD, NHFDC in addition to his own charge for a period of three months with effect from May 14, 2010.

b) The ACC has approved the extension of tenure of Sanjay Sinha, a 1978 batch Manipur-Tripura cadre IPS as minister (personnel and community affairs) in the embassy of India, Washington for a period beyond June 30, 2010 till his successor is appointed.

c) DD Padsalikar, a 1982 batch Maharashtra cadre IPS has been appointed as minister (personnel and community affairs) in the embassy of India, Washington (joint secretary level).

d) Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, a 1990 batch Manipur-Tripura cadre IAS, presently working as director in the department of rural development has been promoted to the rank of joint secretary in the same department.

BoI Extraa…

Gateman honoured for averting a rail accident

K Madhu, a newly recruited gateman was honoured by M.S Jayanth, General Manager, South Central Railway for exhibiting his presence of mind and alertness to avert a major rail disaster near Secunderabad on July 15, 2010. The General Manager presented an award of Rs 5000 to the employee. 

A panel of members in Planning Commission refuses to endorse package for Naxal areas terming it a bureaucratic exercise

A PANEL of three members of Planning Commission has refused to endorse a draft package for Naxal areas terming it a “bureaucratic exercise” with no views from local people being accommodated there, a media report in a national newspaper said. The members, Abhijit Sen, Mihir Shah and Narendra Jhadav, said that they can’t put a stamp on an action plan based on failed project delivery systems.

Member secretary Sudha Pillai, a 1972 batch IAS, has been passionately working out the details of the development package for Naxal areas, and there were reports in media how her approach to Naxal is different from that of her husband and home secretary GK Pillai whose ministry has been playing the key role in finding a military solution to the vexed issue.

Bringing Buddha to New Zealand bureaucrats

A delegation of monks and nuns has brought the teachings of Buddha to politicians and civil servants of New Zealand as they gifted Dhammapada – a book of teachings of saint Budhha to the country’s Parliament. The scripture comprising over 400 short sayings believed to be of Buddha and originally written in Pali language, was earlier presented to Australian politicians too. In New Zealand, there are a few Buddhist MPs, including Labour’s Darien Fenton.

Secretaries In Action

Information and Broadcasting secretary Raghu Menon, a 1974 batch Nagaland cadre IAS, said in Guwahati on Tuesday that the Community Radio as an outreach tool would be strengthened during the 12th five year Plan, and the ministry would consider the proposal of providing a seed capital for initiating such effective tools for the North-Eastern region. He along with his minister Ambika Soni were present in the North-Eastern city for attending the first Regional Conference of Media Units in the North-East.

Kashmiri IAS topper gets security cover; Also says he is not a slumdog millionaire

HEARD of a secretary to Government of India being escorted by two body guards in New Delhi? Not really! But this year’s IAS topper, Dr Shah Faesal from Kashmir Valley, has now been given a security cover, according to media reports.

In fact, both local and national media gave extensive coverage to medical graduate Faesal’s rare feat of topping the civil services examination from the conflict-infested Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, making him an instant celebrity. Now, two security personnel will accompany Dr Faesal all the time. His father incidentally was killed by militants barely a few days before his pre-entrance medical examination eight years ago.

A report by Hindustan Times quoted Dr Faesal saying that he wants “to shuffle back to normalcy” after receiving invitations from various organizations, coaching centers etc. in addition to requests from media.

But is he a typical rags-to riches story? “I am not a slumdog millionaire,” the same national daily quoted Dr Faesal as saying, who in fact studied in Kashmir's premier school Biscoe. (Photo used here is mere symbolic)

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IAS Toppers Day: Special dinners and receptions

Secretaries In Action

a) Union home secretary GK Pillai on Wednesday reviewed various security issues concerning airports in the country. Steps relating to biometric access, construction of watch towers, raising of perimeter walls, provision of adequate security staff, installation of CCTV cameras, provision of dog squads and bomb disposal squads, etc. were discussed at the specially-convened meeting.

b) Steel secretary Atul Chaturvedi urged industry lobby group FICCI to commission a study for taking the Joint Plant Committee (JPC) report forward.

Is Dr KP Krishnan joining PM’s Economic Advisory Council?

Dr KP Krishnan, a 1983 batch Karnataka cadre IAS, may join the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (EAC) as secretary. Currently, he is a joint secretary of capital markets in the finance ministry. EAC secretary Jayant Dasgupta, a 1981 batch Bihar cadre IAS, has been chosen as the new Ambassador, Permanent Mission of India, WTO, Geneva, for a period of three years from July 31, 2010.

BoI Extraa

Forget Rumour, Civil Services Prelims on May 23. Check: http://www.jobcorridor.com/

1972 batch bureaucrats continue to take the centre-stage of India’s power corridors

IN January this year, babusofindia.com (BoI) presented the rise of 1972 batch officers with a tagline of “Numerological Influence” after bureaucrats of that batch continuously scripted success stories in grabbing key government posts including national security adviser (NSA), RBI Governor, home and defence secretaries and Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) just to name a few.

Now, with Sudha Pillai (In Picture) of 1972 batch becoming Member Secretary of Planning Commission with a rank of a Minister of State post retirement, and urban development secretary and her batch-mate M Ramachandran emerging as the top contender for the cabinet secretary’s post that will be vacant next month, it may not just be numerological influence, but sheer indispensability of some bureaucrats for whom retirement age of 60 is strictly not applicable.

But the bigger question here is what makes some officers so indispensable in the government that Prime Minister and his spin doctors don’t want them to lose whereas hundreds of other bureaucrats simply retire and go into oblivion. Ms Pillai, who has already made a mark in social sectors, first as labour secretary and then as Planning Commission secretary, there is no surprise in the decision of the top brass of the government to keep her engaged even after retirement.

Or for that matter, RBI Governor and the topper of 1972 batch Duvvuri Subbarao is unlikely to be out of action even after his tenure in the central bank ends. If the earlier trends continue, GK Pillai who is now on a two-year fixed term as home secretary, could emerge as strong contenders for gubernatorial positions in any North-East state!

High Five

Wish to see a photograph of five young and stylish IAS officers of 1972 batch during their Army attachment period? Just click at this PUBLICLY AVAILABLE LINK, then scroll it down to the eighth black and white picture. One in the middle with spectacles and tight trouser is home secretary GK Pillai (husband of Sudha Pillai) who is flanked by former agriculture secretary T Nanda Kumar, urban development secretary M Ramachandran, and former Maharashtra chief secretary Johny Joseph. 

94 IAS officers get clearance for exposure tour to USA; visit scheduled for May 15 to 29

THE two-week exposure visit to US organized in collaboration with Duke University for mid-career IAS, which was put on hold thanks to the health ministry travel advisory in the wake of H1N1 threat, is now re-scheduled for May 15 to 29, 2010. In fact, a mid-career officer cannot be said to have technically completed the mandatory training in terms of IAS (Pay) Rules without undergoing this programme.

As many as 94 IAS officers belonging to 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 batches who participated the first part of the programme in June-August, 2009 at Mussoorie, will be eligible to undertake the course in US. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) in an office memo dated February 1, 2010, gave the clearance saying that it has no objection to the US visit of 94 Indian officers “from political angle”.

The two-week exposure visit to Duke University, USA, is designed to provide officers with a global perspective and exposure to international best practices.

List of 94 participating IAS

Zero rupee notes to greet bureaucrats

A social organization has been campaigning among people to hand over specially designed Rs 0 notes bearing the image of Mahatma Gandhi to corrupt officials if they ask for bribes. The notes printed by Fifth Pillar look like Rs 50 bank notes though it is filled with inscriptions like “Eliminate corruption at all levels” and a pledge “I promise to neither accept nor give bribe”.

The concept is believed to be working in reducing corruption. “Next time someone asks you for a bribe, just take your country’s zero currency note and hand it to them. This will let the other person know that you refuse to give or take any money in order to perform services required by law or to give or take money to do something illegal,” Fifth Pillar campaigners say.

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RS Pandey appointed interlocutor for NSCN (I-M) talks

Raghav Sharan Pandey, a 1972 batch Nagaland cadre IAS who has recently retired as petroleum secretary, has been appointed as interlocutor and representative of the Government of India to hold talks with Naga underground outfit NSCN (IM). Mr Pandey is a batch-mate of home secretary GK Pillai. He had also served as additional secretary in the ministry of agriculture and secretary in steel and heavy industries ministries. Mr Pandey attended a one-year long course on poverty alleviation from the University of Sussex, UK (1985) and a 4-week-long course on disability and rehabilitation form an US university (1987)

Numerological Influence? 1972 batch bureaucrats continue to grab key posts from RBI Governor, NSA, Home and Defence secretaries...

CALL it sheer talent or influence of numerological calculation, 1972 batch bureaucrats have continuously scripted success stories in occupying key government posts. With Shiv Shankar Menon, a 1972 batch retired Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer getting picked up for the coveted post of national security adviser (NSA) in place of MK Narayanan, and the next cabinet secretary in all probability is going to be a 1972 batch IAS, the journey of the men of that batch in securing important posts may continue for sometime more.

In fact, 1972 batch civil service topper and former finance secretary Dr D Subbarao of Andhra Pradesh cadre was already appointed as the 22nd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and two of his batch-mates, GK Pillai of Kerala cadre and Pradeep Kumar of Haryana cadre are India’s home and defence secretaries respectively for a period of two years.

As two of the senior IAS of 1972 batch will continue as secretaries in two of the most important ministries, home and defence, the government is unlikely to spring a surprise and appoint someone from 1973 batch (finance secretary Ashok Chawla is a contender) as the next cabinet secretary when current incumbent KM Chandrasekhar, a 1970 batch Kerala cadre IAS, is retiring in mid-June this year. Urban development secretary M Ramachandran, a 1972 batch Kerala cadre IAS is the top contender so far, but there is a rumour doing the rounds that the appointment for the next cabinet secretary could be advanced by a fortnight so as to facilitate Planning Commission secretary and 1972 batch Kerala cadre IAS Sudha Pillai becoming the India’s first woman cabinet secretary. Ms Pillai is retiring on May 31, 2010, but once appointed, she would get a fixed tenure of two years.

There are a few other officers of the batch including Central Information Commissioner and former Information and Broadcasting secretary Sushma Singh, who have managed decent post-retirement postings. Interestingly, the only high profile officer of 1972 batch who has not secured any key post so far is former IPS Kiran Bedi.

Read: Sudha Pillai still a contender for cabinet secretary's post

In Pictures: Menon (top) and Subbarao taking charge as foreign secretary and RBI Guv respectively 

Action and Appointments

a) AK Mangotra, a 1978 batch Manipur-Tripura cadre IAS and presently additional secretary and financial adviser in the department of food and public distribution has been appointed as additional secretary in the department of commerce in place of R Gopalan, a 1976 batch Tamil Nadu cadre IAS.

b) Desh Deepak Verma, a 1978 batch UP cadre IAS and presently in the cadre, has been appointed as additional secretary and financial adviser in the department of food and public distribution.

c) The proposal of the department of AYUSH for the extension of Central deputation tenure of B Anand, a 1987 bacth Tamil Nadu cadre IAS, as Joint Secretary in that department beyond January 30, 2010 has been rejected.

d) The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the period of overstay of AK Dubey, a 1982 batch Kerala cadre IAS, for the period from April 19, 2008 to March 4, 2009, while on deputation to Delhi University as Registrar, as a deputation under Rule 6 (1) of the IAS (cadre) Rules 1954 (deputation under Non-Central Staffing Scheme) on ex-post facto basis.