1972 batch continues to be lucky; PMO secretary MN Prasad is new World Bank ED

MN Prasad, a 1972 batch retired Bihar cadre IAS will soon be 62 years. But he has a job offer in hand for the next three years. Prasad, presently secretary to the Prime Minister, has been appointed as Executive Director, World Bank in place of Pulok Chatterji for a period of three years. And yes, there is no holidaying for Prasad between his high profile PMO job and the new assignment in the World Bank beginning October this year.

Earlier this month, his batch-mate and former defence secretary Pradeep Kumar had an offer at hand even when he was at the helm of the defence ministry. The government named him as the Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), and Kumar moved straight from South Block to CVC’s office. For this 62 years old officer, there is no holiday in between.

As early as January 2010, BoI (babusofindia.com) said: “Call it sheer talent or influence of numerological calculation, 1972 batch bureaucrats have continuously scripted success stories in occupying key government posts.”

Shiv Shankar Menon, a 1972 batch retired Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer was picked up for the coveted post of national security adviser (NSA) in place of MK Narayanan. Similarly, 1972 batch civil service topper and former finance secretary Dr D Subbarao of Andhra Pradesh cadre was made 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 were India’s home and defence secretaries respectively for a period of two years. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India Vinod Rai, also a 1972 batch IAS, has turned out to be one of the most outstanding CAGs of independent India. The Planning Commission Member Secretary Sudha Pillai, is also of the same batch.

Action and Appointments

a) DPS Sandhu, a 1987 batch Indian Railway Traffic Service officer has been appointed as adviser to the Executive Director in the World Bank. He will have a three year tenure. 

b) Surajit Mitra, a 1977 batch Assam cadre IAS has been appointed as secretary in the ministry of minority affairs in place of Vivek Mehrotra, a 1974 batch Haryana cadre IAS who is retiring on July 31, 2011.

c) Senior police officers and bureaucrats in Chennai who are believed to be close to the DMK were on Tuesday raided by officials in charge of tackling corruption. The raids included the home of Jaffar Sait, who was the chief of intelligence when the DMK was in power.

Who replaces who in PMO rejig?

AS several officers are on their way out from India’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), here are the replacements.

IN: Pulok Chatterji, a 1974 batch IAS who is recalled from his World Bank assignment half-way. Is joining as secretary, PMO, in place of MN Prasad. He could be elevated to principal secretary if TKA Nair is given a Governor’s post.

OUT: MN Prasad, a 1972 batch retired IAS officer, is likely to replace Pulok Chatterji in the World Bank. Prasad, a Bihar cadre officer has continued in the PMO after his retirement.

IN: BVR Subrahmanyam, a 1987 batch Chhattisgarh cadre IAS. Joining as joint secretary in PMO. Subrahmanyam was the private secretary to PM between 2004 and 2008, and then was on a World Bank assignment.

OUT: Vini Mahajan, a 1987 batch Punjab cadre IAS. Also, Sanjay Mitra, a 1982 batch West Bengal cadre IAS who remained in PMO for over six years, recently joined Mamata Banerjee government as principal secretary.

IN: Sanjay Lohiya, a 1994 batch Assam-Meghalaya cadre IAS and Krishan Kumar, a 1997 batch Punjab cadre IAS. Both are joining as directors in PMO.

OUT: Ashish Gupta and DPS Sandhu, both directors. Sandhu, an Indian Information Service officer who had also served PM’s media adviser during the fag-end of UPA-I, is heading for a World Bank assignment.