Alka Sirohi, 1974 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS, assumes office as DoPT secretary

NOW, a woman officer, will be at the helm of department of personnel and training (DoPT) under the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions. Alka Sirohi, a 1974 batch Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS has assumed office as secretary, DoPT, replacing her batch-mate Shantanu Consul who is becoming a Member of Shunglu Committee, formed to probe alleged financial irregularities in Delhi’s Commonwealth Games. The DoPT plays a key role in appointments, transfers and framing of rules for IAS among others.

Originally belonging to UP, Sirohi is a post graduate in history and is well versed both in English and French. Beginning her career as an assistant collector of Gwalior way back in 1975, she later became collector in Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh. As a deputy secretary in the ministry of defence, she had her first stint in Central deputation between 1983 and 1986, and later became principal advisor in the Planning Commission and secretary in department of food and public distribution under ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution.

In her state cadre, Sirohi held important assignments in the departments of agriculture cooperation, women and child development and health and family welfare. In 1988, she obtained a management degree from UK.

Her husband RS Sirohi, secretary of National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes, is her batch-mate from the same cadre. According to reports, she is a third generation IAS and her younger sister too is an IAS of UP cadre whereas her brother is a railway officer. Sirohi has two sons.

Action and Appointments

SK Puri, a 1975 batch officer of the Central Engineering Service (Roads) Group ‘A’, has taken over as Director General (Road Development) and special secretary on regular basis in the ministry of road transport and highways with effect from November 1, 2010. Puri was additional Director General in the ministry of road transport and highways prior to his appointment as DG (Roads). He also had a vast experience of working in NHAI. Puri also has international experience of working on National Highway Projects in Nepal, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia for almost a decade.

Know Shunglu Panel’s second member -- Shantanu Consul, 1974 batch Karnataka cadre IAS

FOR Shantanu Consul, a 1974 batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer retiring October 31, there won’t be a rest even for a day. Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has named Consul the only other Member of the VK Shunglu Committee probing alleged financial irregularities in the recent held Delhi Commonwealth Games. Consul is currently secretary department of personnel and training (DoPT) in the ministry of personnel, public grievance and pensions.

An MA in history and certificate holder in German and marketing, Consul started his career as deputy commissioner in Bidar in Karnataka way back on March 1, 1982 only to rise as a government of India secretary. Later in 1990, he competed his MBA from the University of Hull, UK, (1990).

Consul had earlier served as secretary, border management under MHA (February 2008 to July 2008), secretary, ministry of mines and minerals (July 2008 to March 2009) and then secretary, department of drinking water supply (March 2009 to September 2009)

Shunglu panel has been asked to submit its report in three months.

Also Read

Who is VK Shunglu?

Railways Gold Track: Now a new sports policy

Call it a golden track. Buoyed by gold rush by the Indian Railways employees in Commonwealth Games recently, minister of railways Mamata Banerjee directed Railway Board to formulate a new sports policy. The policy would provide encouragement, incentive, better career prospects and better professional and practical support to Railway players. In CWG-2010, railway sportspersons won 25 medals for India which include 13 gold medals, 3 silver medals and 9 bronze medals. The Railways gave given them cash awards.

For the record, here is the list of the gold medalists from the Indian Railways according to their zones:

1) Ms Anisha Sayyed, (Western Railway), Shooting (25m Pistol Team)

2) Ravinder Kumar, (Northern Railway), Wrestling (60 kg Greco Roman)

3) Sanjay, (Northern Railway), Wrestling (74 kg. Greco Roman)

4) Ms Anisha Sayyed, (Western  Railway), Shooting (25m Pistol Indv.)

5) Ms Y Renubala Chanu, (Northeast Frontier  Railway), Weightlifting (58 kg.)

6) Rajinder Singh, (Western Railway), Wrestling (55 kg Greco Roman)

7) Ms Dola Banerjee PP, (Eastern Railway),

Ms L Bombayla Devi , (Eastern Railway), Archery (Recurve Team Event)

8) Narsingh Yadav, (Western Railway), Wrestling (74 kg Free Style)

9) Sushil Kumar, (Northern Railway), Wrestling (66 kg Free Style)

10) Ms Krishna Punia, (North Western Railway), Athletics (Discus Throw)

11) Ms Ashwani AC (South Western Railway), Ms Sini Jose (Southern Railway),  Athletics (4X400 Relay)

12) Manoj Kumar (Northern Railway), Boxing (64 kg), ld

13) Pramjit Samota (Eastern Railway), Boxing (91 kg)

85,000 banking jobs

Imagine 85,000 jobs in Indian banking for the next three years? A finance ministry background paper disclosed the figure. For details, check http://www.jobcorridor.com/

A group of officers under DoPT secretary set up on privacy, data protection etc.

THE government has constituted a group of officers under the chairmanship of secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) to develop a framework that could balance the country’s interests and concerns on privacy, data protection and security and which could respect the domain legislations on the subject, a government release said. The framework developed by the group would include legal provisions, principles and elements of data protection, security and privacy. While developing the framework, the group will keep in view the existing provisions of various laws regarding protection of data and privacy of individuals.

The group is likely to submit its report within three months. The release further said that suggestions, if any, may be sent to KG. Verma, Director, Department of Personnel & Training, North Block, New Delhi – 110001 [kgverma52@yahoo.co.in], by July 5, 2010.

Significantly, Shantanu Consul, a 1974 batch IAS, is the DoPT secretary now. The DoPT in its website has kept the undated and unsigned document regarding this circular. CLICK HERE to check it yourself.

Action and Appointments

a) Arvind Kumar Chugh, a 1974 batch Jharkhand cadre IAS, presently in the cadre, has been appointed as Principal Advisor, Planning Commission, in the rank and pay of secretary to government of India.

b) Ms Sadhana Rout, a 1984 batch IIS officer has been appointed as joint secretary in the ministry of women & child development.

c) Sanjeev Chopra, a 1985 batch West Bengal cadre IAS has been appointed as Mission Director, National Horticulture Mission (joint secretary level).

d) The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved waiving-off cooling-off of Santosh Kumar, a 1994 batch Maharashtra cadre IAS and his inter cadre deputation from Maharashtra to Jharkhand cadre for a period of three years.

e) The competent authority has approved that DK Sikri, a 1975 batch Gujarat cadre IAS, secretary, ministry of women and child development, will hold the additional charge of the post of secretary, ministry of coal, during the period of absence on leave of C Balakrishnan, a 1974 batch HP cadre IAS from June 26, 2010 to July 28, 2010.

f) Anand Kumar, a 1984 batch Kerala cadre IAS has been appointed as joint secretary in the ministry of tourism.

g) AK Bhalla, a 1984 batch Assam cadre IAS has been appointed as joint secretary in the ministry of coal.

h) Shyamlal Goyal, a 1985 batch Maharashtra cadre IAS has been appointed as joint secretary in the department of fertilizers.

Thinking Out Of The Box: PMO directs DoPT to train JS ranked officers to be leaders, not administrators

IN A serious bid to make senior Indian bureaucrats imbibe the philosophy of becoming leaders rather than continuing as mere administrators, the department of personnel and training (DoPT) is executing a directive from Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) that joint secretary level officers must undertake a mandatory training programme on leadership and strategic thinking.
The first such programme, designed for joint secretaries by IIM-Bangalore and IIM-Indore, will be conducted during January 25 to February 5, 2010 at IIM-B.
DoPT secretary Shantanu Consul wrote a letter to all Government of India secretaries on January 8, 2010, to nominate and relieve one of the joint secretaries from each department or ministry for the purpose. The cost of the course fee, boarding and lodging will be met by DoPT whereas travel costs will be borne by the concerned ministries.
The programme is designed to make a joint secretary level officer develop a strategic orientation and become innovative, adaptive and flexible. They are expected to adopt an user or stakeholder orientation.
And yes, the course includes a module of watching a movie “Ek Rukha Hua Faisla” to explore how to influence others to think out of the box!
DoPT secretary’s letter (January 8, 2010) and detailed programme

Case registered against ex-IAS
The economic offences wing (EOW) of Uttar Pradesh police lodged an FIR against former chief secretary A P Singh and 19 others for alleged irregularities worth over Rs 5.5 crore in a case related to procurement of seeds five years ago, media reports said on Friday. The other officers include former MD of UP Seeds Development Corporation M Q Alvi.

Action and Appointments
a) Dr PK Anand, a 1983 batch Rajasthan cadre IAS, presently in the cadre has been appointed as joint secretary in the department of rural development.
b) The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the proposal of the ministry of home affairs (MEA) for ex-post-facto extension of tenure of Rajiv Mehta, a 1981 batch Assam cadre IPS, IG, CRPF for a period of three months.
c) Rajeev Kapoor, a 1983 batch UP cadre IAS has been appointed as joint secretary in the DoPT.

Writing a letter to DoPT secretary? Check out this memo to avoid disciplinary action

"How are u sir? Would like 2 meet u 2morrow for a personal cos. Any time pliz" If you are a Central Secretariat Service (CSS) official getting ready to send this SMS to secretary (personnel) or a joint secretary directly, think twice. The department of personnel and training (DoPT) in a recent office memo warned officers not to address any letter or communications directly to DoPT secretary or joint secretaries of the ministry as it violates provisions of the Central Civil Services (CCS) Conduct Rules 1964. What's more, such conduct may attract disciplinary proceedings, the memo warned. The memo was issued after a large number of representations addressed directly to DoPT secretary and joint secretaries by officers of different cadres on issues related to the CSS were received in the recent past. "All cadre units participating in CSS are requested to bring contents of the OM (Office Memorandum) to the notice of all the officials working in their organisations that in future they should invariably route all correspondence to DoPT only through the proper channel and send the same to the concerned dealing officer in the CS Division in the first instance," instructions said. The memo was sent to all cadres participating in CSS. Shantanu Consul, a 1974 batch Karnataka cadre IAS, is now the DoPT secretary replacing his batchmate Rahul Sarin. Significantly, additional secretary P K Mishra is known to give time to random visitors, mostly officials, between 3 pm to 5 pm every working day --- a practice which is highly appreciated and much talked among officials of all ranks. Former DoPT secretary Satyananda Mishra, who is now a Central Information Commissioner, too was quite liberal in sparing some time for officers who visited North Block in matters relating to postings. DoPT Office Memo (October 28, 2009)

Govt may constitute a high-level committee to recommend changes in Indian civil servants’ training modules

A MAJOR change of the current training programme for Indian civil servants could be a reality soon. The government may form a committee under a secretary or an additional secretary level official to recommend a new set of training modules which are more relevance in today’s context, friends of babu blogger said. In fact, a section of content of the current training modules is said to have become outdated which needs to be replaced by new content which are of more relevance today. Also, the government may look into the dynamic process adopted by other countries in constantly updating the course. An official also told babu blogger that the new package of training may emphasize a lot not just on training at the entry level, but mid-career courses as well. For the beginners, LBS National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie is the main training academy catering mostly to the IAS officers, whereas Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy is meant for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers. The other services of civil servants in India have separate training academies too.

Home minister asks top cops to speak up against arbitrary transfers The Union home minister P Chidambaram asked the country’s top cops to speak up against random transfer. While inaugurating a conference of DGPs/IGPs in New Delhi on Monday, he said that it was a matter of deep regret that many police officers were reduced to “a football, to be kicked here and there, from one post to another, without regard to the damage done to the job as well as the officer”. He further asked senior police officers to speak up against arbitrary postings. “Why do you remain silent when arbitrary postings and transfers are made by the state government? Is it not your duty, as the head of the state police, to raise your voice not only on behalf of your officers but also on behalf of the people that you are duty bound to protect? As one famous Judge said, ‘When there is a duty to speak, silence is culpable’.” he said. Read, "MHA officials in jitters as P Chidambaram writes long comments on performance appraisal reports" posted on June 1, 2009. Also read, "MHA directive! Don’t be late in office or go early; your entry and exit are registered biometrically" posted on September 2, 2009

Action & Appointments a) Tenure of Ashok Kumar, a 1982 batch Tamil Nadu cadre IPS as Joint Director in the CBI has been extended for a period of two years. b) Ranjan Chatterjee, a 1976 batch Assam cadre IAS has been appointed as a consultant in the Planning Commission in the pay of additional secretary for a period of three years. c) Ms Rajwant Sandhu, a 1975 batch Himachal Pradesh cadre IAS, presently special secretary in the ministry of Panchayati Raj has been appointed as secretary, department of drinking water supply in the ministry of rural development in the vacancy of Shantanu Consul, who has become DoPT secretary.

Know Your Babu: Shantanu Consul is new DoPT secretary

SHANTANU Consul, a 1974 batch Karnataka cadre IAS officer took over as secretary department of personnel & training (DoPT) in the ministry of personnel, public grievance and pensions. He succeeds Rahul Sarin who superannuated on Monday. Read, “Post-retirement plan for MCA secretary Anurag Goel & personnel secretary Rahul Sarin firmed up in advance” posted on August 3, 2009 Bio-data Name: Shantanu Consul Cadre: Karnataka cadre IAS Batch: 1974 Date of Birth: October 5, 1950 Place of domicile: Karnataka Mother tongue: Hindi Educational Qualifications a) MA in history b) Certificate, German c) Certificate, Marketing Some Major Postings i) Deputy Commissioner, Bidar (March 1, 1982 to April 1, 1983) ii) Deputy secretary, department of civil aviation, (November 1, 1983 to August 1, 1985) iii) Director, Tourism (July 1, 1988 to June 1, 1990) iv) Managing Director at the level of JS (May 1, 1990 to September 1, 1990) v) Joint secretary, ministry of chemicals & fertilizers, (April 1, 1995 to October 31, 2000) vi) Principal secretary at the level of additional secretary Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department (March 1, 2001 to April 1 2002) vii) Secretary, Border Management, MHA (February 11, 2008 to July 20, 2008) viii) Secretary, ministry of mines and minerals (July 21, 2008 to March 23, 2009) ix) Secretary, department of drinking water supply (March 23, 2009 to September 1, 2009) x) Secretary, DoPT (September 1, 2009 ….) Foreign Education a) MBA, Univ of Hull, UK, 1990 b) Two-weeks long advanced management programme in UK in 2007 Action & Appointments Air Marshal KJ Mathews takes over as the new HR head of Air Force Air Marshal KJ Mathews took over as the new Air Officer-in-charge Personnel (AOP), the head of human resources of the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Air Headquarters on Tuesday. Commissioned in the year 1973, Air Marshal Mathews has over 3,500 hours of flying to his credit on various aircraft that include HF-24 (Marut), Hunter, MiG-21M and MiG-29. He was station commander of an operational base during Kargil operations, Principal Director of Concept Studies, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Operations) at Air HQ and Commandant, Air Force Academy before his current appointment. He was alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Air War College, USA. Missile scientist Sarawat is new DRDO chief Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, noted missile scientist took over as secretary, department of defence research & development, scientific adviser to Raksha Mantri (SA to RM) and director general, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Tuesday. Read "Action & Appointments: Missile scientist Dr VK Saraswat is new DRDO chief; to act as scientific adviser to A K Antony" posted on August 28, 2009. Dr Lal Path Lab owner made an honorary brigadier Chairman and managing director of Dr Lal Path Labs, Dr Arvind Lal has been accorded the honorary rank of Brigadier in the Armed Forces Medical Services with effect from July 9, 2009. Dr Lal is an alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune. Conferred with Padma Shri award this year, Dr Lal is a recipient of the Indira Gandhi Solidarity Award in 1994, Delhi Ratan Award in 2005, Lifetime Achievement Award in Medicine in 2003 and the International Business Council Award 1994.