Commerce ministry’s Amitabh Jain to head for Indian High Commission in London

Amitabh Jain, a 1989 batch Chhattisgarh cadre IAS, has been appointed as Minister (Economics) in the High Commission of India, London. Jain replaces his batch-mate from West Bengal cadre Anil Verma who had to return to India halfway after he allegedly assaulted his wife. The entire episode got huge British media attention. Verma, who had worked closely with finance minister Pranab Mukherjee was the third most senior Indian officer in London High Commission then.

Now, the appointments committee of cabinet has approved the appointment of Amitabh Jain, presently working as Additional Director General of Foreign Trade at the level of a joint secretary in the department of commerce. Jain will have a tenure of three years, from the date of assumption of charge of the post or until further orders, whichever event takes place earlier, with the condition that the appointment of the officer at the first instance will be restricted up to August 27, 2013 and appointment for the remaining period out of three years, will be notified only after the receipt of cadre clearance of the state government of Chhattisgarh.

A mechanical engineer with specialization in systems analysis, Jain was in the cadre till he joined DGFT in 2006.

Action and Appintments

a) Rajiv Gupta, a 1979 batch UK cadre IAS, presently in the cadre, has been appointed as Managing Director, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED), New Delhi at the level of a joint secretary.

b) Chandra Prakash, a 1982 batch UP cadre IAS, has been appointed as joint secretary in the ministry of labour and employment in place of SK Dev Barman, a 1987 batch Manipur-Tripura cadre IAS on his appointment as Advisor in UNDP.

c) A number of senior finance ministry officials including DEA secretary RGopalan and chief economic adviser Dr Kaushik Basu are accompanying Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on a three day visit to USA beginning June 27, 2011. FM will deliver a keynote address at the conference on “US-India Economic and Financial Partnership”.

JS level officer wanted for replacing 1989 batch IAS Anil Verma in Indian High Commission London

THE government has advertised for the post of minister (economic), High Commission of India in London looking for a joint secretary level officer after it decided to recall 1989 batch West Bengal cadre IAS Anil Verma who caused embarrassment for New Delhi when he reportedly assaulted his wife in London. London police wanted India to waive off Verma’s diplomatic immunity so as to try him under UK laws after his wife Paromita Verma formally lodged a complaint against him before going into hiding in UK.

According to a circular issued by department of personnel and training (DoPT) on February 9, the government wanted to appoint an officer who must have been empanelled to hold joint secretary or equivalent posts at the Centre, but must not be senior enough to be empanelled as additional secretary in next three years. Also, the new minister (economic) should have experiences of working in an economic ministry.

The other mandatory qualifications include at least two years at the Centre under Central Staffing Scheme, age below 54 years as on the date of vacancy and proficiency in computers etc. Also, exposure to international trade and bilateral or international trade negotiations are considered as desirable qualifications for applying for the coveted post. The application must reach the DoPT in just two weeks of issuing the advertisement.

Also Read

British media report on Verma case

Vacancy Circular

Action and Appointments

a) Rajiv Kher, a 1980 batch UP cadre IAS, presently joint secretary in the department of of commerce has been appointed as additional secretary in the department of commerce in place of DK Mittal, a 1977 batch UP cadre IAS.

b) Anil Kumar Singh, a 1995 batch UT cadre IAS has been appointed as director in the ministry of home affairs, New Delhi.