What Vinod Rai’s book says about bureaucrats: Pulok Chatterji, Vini Mahajan, TKA Nair, PJ Thomas, Sunil Arora etc.

Rai with wife

1980 batch IAS officer Sunil Arora is an “outstanding officer”.
Former principal secretary to PM TKA Nair was a “priest” in the PMO. 
Former Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai’s book “Not Just An Accountant” has a few interesting anecdotes about men who mattered in corridors of power. Here are about 7 of them:

Pulok Chatterji has leftist leanings, never too enthusiastic about PM’s US focus, claims Baru book

Pulok Chatterji (right) with Manmohan Singh

IF Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s former media adviser Sanjaya Baru is to be believed, “affable, pipe-smoking and understated” Pulok Chatterji has leftist leanings. That’s not all. Baru’s new book, “The Accidental Prime Minister” also claims that Chatterji, thanks to his leftist leanings, was never too enthusiastic about Dr Singh’s focus on improving relations with US, a serious charge hurled against one of the top bureaucrats of UPA’s rule for the last 10 years. In UPA-I, Chatterji was a powerful…

What Sanjaya Baru’s book says about TKA Nair and Pulok Chatterji; PMO reacts

SANJAYA Baru, former media adviser to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called PM’s adviser TKA Nair “a bureaucratic lightweight” who except for a stint in the IK Gujral’s PMO, had neither held the rank of secretary in “any of the powerful ministries on Raisina Hill-home, finance and defence-nor in any key economic ministry”. Baru’s 301-page book titled “The Accidental Prime Minister--The Making and Unmaking Of Manmohan Singh”, published by Penguin, has not even spared current principal secretary Pulok Chatterji, who “like Nair, suffered from…

BoI Power List: TKA Nair loses AAA, but he is still as powerful as a dollar

Nair Moment

FOR the third year in a row, BoI (www.babusofindia.com) has come out with the list of 5 Most Powerful Bureaucrats in India, 2011. The power list has been prepared after evaluating the opinions of 50 politicians and bureaucrats in Delhi’s corridors of power, and using inputs from BoI’s own assessment. In the next few days, you will know who are these five movers and shakers of Indian bureaucracy, and more importantly why each of them can exercise their influence in key decisions? The list does not necessarily reflect bureaucratic hierarchy as importance is given to personal standing and equations, future capability and the current socio-political ecosystem.  

Principal secretary to PM, TKA Nair, who was the second most powerful bureaucrat in BoI’s list of 2009 and 2010, has slipped to the fifth position in the list of 5 Most Powerful Indian Bureaucrats in India, 2011. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has recently divested Nair’s power as he would no longer be the principal secretary to PM from October 3, 2011. Yet, Nair will continue to exert influence in high-voltage power scene in the year to come. BoI in earlier occasions dubbed him as a master bureaucrat comparing him with Henry Kissinger of yesteryears.

Nair, who has so far successfully protected the PMO from scams around it, will remain an adviser to PM even after Pulok Chatterji, known for his proximity to Sonia Gandhi, takes over as principal secretary to PM in the first week of October. Nair had earlier served as secretary to former prime ministers IK Gujral and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and worked in Planning Commission too.

The big question is: Will Nair, who is 11 years senior to current cabinet secretary, move to a Raj Bhawan? Or will he continue to play key roles in South Block till May 2014? At least for now, no one can write off Prime Minister’s No 1 spin doctor. After all, Nair like the US might have lost the AAA rating, but he is still as important in Indian bureaucracy as the US dollar is to the world.

Also Read

TKA Nair in 2009 list

TKA Nair in 2010 list

India's top bureaucrats TKA Nair and KM Chandrasekhar asked to depose before PAC

COUNTRY'S top bureaucrats including TKA Nair, principal secretary to Prime Minister and cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar have been asked to appear before the Murli Manohar Joshi-led Public Accounts Committee investigating the 2G spectrum allocation scam. They are likely to depose before the committee on April 15-16. According to reports, the panel has called CBI chief AP Singh for a second deposition, and may seek a deposition from Comptroller and Auditor General Vinod Rai, a 1972 batch retired IAS.

Joshi who has turned more aggressive by every day feels that summoning key bureaucrats like Nair and Chandrasekhar would help the panel do a better assessment on whether former telecom minister A Raja allocated UAS licences on 2G spectrum by overruling PMO’s objections.

Joshi’s panel has recently asked various questions to corporate honchos like Ratan Tata and Anil Ambani and controversial corporate lobbyist Niira Radia.

Revenue officials to study Central Economic Intelligence Bureau’s role

The government has constituted a four-member committee to review the role, functioning and structure of the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) in the changed economic scenario. The members of the committee include SS Khan, retired Member, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Ms Vijay Lakshmi Sharma, Member, Central Board of Excise and Customs, Dr Kewal Ram, senior economic advisor department. of consumer affairs and Deputy Director General, CEIB as Member Secretary to the committee. 

Four bureaucrats to assist PM during US president Obama’s visit to India

FOUR top Indian bureaucrats who have been assigned to help PM in formulating India’s standpoint during the three-day long visit of US president Barack Obama, are principal secretary to Prime Minister TKA Nair (1963 batch retired IAS), National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon (1972 batch retired IFS), foreign secretary Nirupama Rao (1973 batch IFS) and India’s Ambassador to USA Meera Shankar (1973 batch IFS).

In addition, there would be seven ministers and deputy chairman of Planning Commission who will also assist PM during Obama’s visit which begins on Saturday in Mumbai, only to conclude on Monday night in New Delhi. In a statement to media, India’s foreign secretary said, “Prime Minister will be assisted by Ministers of Finance, Agriculture, Defence, Home, External Affairs, Human Resource Development, Commerce and Industry, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, National Security Adviser, myself and our Ambassador to USA.”

Here is President Obama’s schedule in India:

November 6

1)      Will reach Mumbai in the forenoon of November 6.

2)      Will begin his program by paying homage to the victims of the terrorist attack in Mumbai.

3)      Visit Mani Bhavan to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi

4)      Attend a business summit organized by the US India Business Council in association with FICCI and CII.

November 7

1) On November 7, he will address a ‘Town Hall’ meeting and associated events at the St Xavier’s College

2)      Celebrate Diwali at a Primary School.

3)      Will leave Mumbai and reach Delhi in the afternoon of November 7.

4)      Will have a brief visit to Humayun’s tomb.

5)      He will be the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by Prime Minister and Mrs Kaur.

November 8

1)      The ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan

2)      Visit to Raj Ghat.

3)      President Obama and Prime Minister will meet in the forenoon and discuss bilateral, regional and global developments of mutual concern.

4)      They will preside over the meeting of the India-US CEO Forum.

5)      Two leaders will address a joint press conference.

6)      In the afternoon, Vice-President, Leader of Opposition and Chairperson UPA Ms Sonia Gandhi will call on President Obama.

7)      President Obama will address a joint session of both houses of our Parliament, in the Central Hall.

8)      His official program concludes with a meeting with President, and a State dinner for him and the First Lady at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

November 9

      1)      President Obama leaves Delhi in the forenoon of 9 November 2010 for Indonesia.

Action and Appointments

a) M Ramachandran assumed charge as Principal Registrar at the head quarters of the Central Administrative Tribunal at New Delhi on November 4. He had earlier served in various capacities in different departments of government of India and had worked as deputy registrar and joint registrar of the tribunal in Bombay Bench and as registrar for many years in the Ernakulam Bench of the tribunal. He holds masters degree in history, public administration and law. 

POWER GAMES: What’s if principal secretary to PM TKA Nair is made a Governor?

THE talks in the Raisina Hills last weekend were not just confined to hits and misses in the preparation of the Commonwealth Games. Babus picked up the phone even on Sunday to find out whether it’s just a rumour or news that principal secretary to PM, TKA Nair would be moved out of the power corridor and made Governor of Madhya Pradesh after the Commonwealth Games. If Nair, who has been playing a key role in the PMO, is sent for a gubernatorial position in the same way as former national security advisor M K Narayanan was sent a few months ago, the bigger speculation is who would replace Nair in New Delhi’s power epicenter? 

The speculations got intensified when a national newspaper whose editor had a stint in PMO earlier, published a report in its front page on Sunday that Nair is likely to be appointed Governor of Madhya Pradesh and former Chief Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla, who is reportedly close to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, may become Governor of Rajasthan.

If that turns out to be true, former cabinet secretary and Planning Commission Member BK Chaturvedi who enjoys a close rapport with the Prime Minister could be a top contender for the post of principal adviser to PM. But there would be much more action in Raisina Hills if PM chooses his new blue eyed boy and incumbent cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar for the post. If PM’s assigning of key Games responsibilities to Chandrasekhar and the latter’s serial extension as the cabinet secretary are any indication, Prime Minister may reserve this high-profile slot to Chandrasekhar too. Mind it, PM himself is a strong believer of continuity.

But if Chandrasekhar is picked up for this coveted post, the next question that comes is who will be the cabinet secretary? Despite World Bank ED and 1974 batch Uttar Pradesh cadre Pulok Chatterjee is close to 10 Janpath, his elevation as cabinet secretary at this juncture would mean superceding of a large number of seniors IAS particularly finance secretary and 1973 batch Gujarat cadre IAS Ashok Chawla who is retiring only on January 31, 2011. (Read: Pulok Chatterjee as the Most Powerful Bureaucrat of 2009)

So, who knows if PM chooses Pulok Chatterjee, who as secretary in the PMO played a key role during UPA-I, as his principal secretary? But who then will be the top contenders for India’s next cabinet secretary once Chandrasekhar retires in June next year? Clearly, at this stage there are more questions than definitive answers. 
Also Read
Bureaucrats as Governors
Bong age in Raisina Hills could be in offing 

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! 

Principal secretary to PM, TKA Nair ranks No 2 in BoI's list of 5 Most Powerful Bureaucrats, 2010

HE IS seven batch senior to the senior-most IAS in India --- cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar. He holds the rank of a minister of state and wields immense power in South Block housing the PMO. Yes, you have guessed it right by now. He is TKA Nair, a 1963 batch retired IAS, working as principal secretary to PM since May 2004. Henry Kissinger style bureaucrat, TKA Nair, is ranked No 2 in the BoI’s (babusofindia.com) list of Most Powerful Bureaucrat 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. When ADAG chairman Anil Ambani lost the historic gas dispute case in Supreme Court a few months ago, he knew who to meet in power corridors. Ambani junior met Nair in South Block before narrating his viewpoints to PM.

Even on delayed work related to Commonwealth Games, Nair made a number of surprised visits to the venues last year and held stock-taking meetings to monitor the progress reports.
Nair, who was secretary to former prime minister IK Gujral and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had also served in Planning Commission. No one questions him about his efficiency and administrative skills though some officers complain in private that Nair likes them less than those belonging to Kerala!
Watch out this space to spot who are 3rd, 4th and 5th Most Powerful Bureaucrats in India, and what make them special in corridors of power.


Action and Appointments

a) The ACC has approved the repatriation of Dilsher Singh, a 1977 batch Punjab cadre IAS and Adviser, Planning Commission to his cadre.

b) BP Sharma, a 1981 batch Bihar cadre IAS has been appointed as joint secretary in the ministry of minority affairs.

c) The ACC has approved the assignment of additional charge of commissioner of security, civil aviation in the bureau of civil aviation security (BCAS), to Rohit Nandan, a 1982 batch UP cadre IAS, currently serving as joint secretary in the ministry of civil aviation for a period of two months.

“Wild” life of IFS officer MN Jayakumar brings home international photo award

FOR MN Jayakumar, a 1979 batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer and Karnataka’s Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, an affair with camera developed nearly two decades ago. Jayakumar has now been selected for an UNESCO award, MFIAP, the highest distinction awarded by International Federation of Photographic Art for 20 of his images named “Spectacular Indian Birds”. According to reports, he is the fourth Indian to have been awarded Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (FRPS) and MFIAP, two of the highest distinctions awarded in the field of photography for nature photography.

A passionate environmentalist who travels extensively to capture some defining moments in the world of forest, the forest officer won over 50 awards and 50 certificates of merit in national and international photography. Jayakumar’s photographs were displayed at exhibitions in countries such as England, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Finland, Australia, Scotland, USA and South Africa, apart from getting recognition at various forums in India.

In addition to co-authoring a book in on wildlife, he was also a member of the Indian team at the 14th FIAP nature biennial world cup competition for nature photography held in Spain which won the silver medal in the nature prints category. (In picture: One of Jayakumar's photographs) 

Also Read

A diplomat's poetry of life 

Dramatic move of an IAS

Bureaucrats can do better than politicians, says Vice President

Vice President of India M Hamid Ansari said in a function in Kerala that there are vital areas where the contribution of civil servants could be more than politicians as bureaucrats are “better equipped to work out details of projects”. He was speaking at AK Nair memorial award function. The award this year was given to TKA Nair, one of the most powerful bureaucrats in the country and principal secretary to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Bong age in Raisina Hill: Bengali Bhadralok Pulok Chatterji’s possible homecoming next year may change power dynamics

CALL it a resurgence of Bengali babus in power dynamics of Raisina Hills. If Pulok Chatterji, 1974 batch IAS officer known for his proximity to 10 Janpath, is back in corridors of power as cabinet secretary next year, it could be the beginning of Bengali Bhadraloks’ super-challenge to the dominance of Malayali officers that has prevailed for the last few years. Mr Chatterji (in picture) who was an influential secretary in PMO during UPA-I, is now India’s executive director in the World Bank. Yes, Kissinger-type master bureaucrat and principal secretary to PM TKA Nair who every Kerala cadre officer looks upto for suggestions, will remain strong next year too, but the sheer rise of Bengali secretaries in key Central government departments may rewrite the script of power equations on community line.

In fact, the coming of the Bong age in Raisina Hills was demonstrated recently in a party organized by Tarun Das, ex-chief mentor of the industry lobby CII and Shekhar Datta, ex-MD of Crompton Greaves at New Delhi’s Jor Bagh area. According to reports, revenue secretary Sunil Mitra of 1975 batch, divestment secretary Sumit Bose of 1976 batch, agriculture secretary Prabeer Kumar Basu of 1976 batch, chemicals secretary Bijoy Chatterjee of 1973 batch and government’s chief statistician Pronab Sen and his elder brother and Planning Commission member Abhijit Sen, hobnobbed with a select few from corporate India. And the menu included chingri malaikari (prawns in coconut gravy) and luchi (puris) in addition to some typical Bengali delicacies brought specially from famous restaurant, ‘Oh Calcutta’.

In fact, the induction of Sunil Mitra and Sumit Bose, both finest Bengali officers, into the finance ministry at the behest of finance minister Pranab Mukherjee in January this year gave an early indication that Bengali officers may now occupy influential positions. (Read: FM gets Bengali officers)

The other influential Bengali secretaries in Delhi include tourism secretary Sujit Banerjee of 1972 batch, cultural secretary Jawahar Sircar of 1975 batch, public enterprises secretary Bhaskar Chatterjee of 1975 batch and Dr Srikumar Banerjee, secretary of department of atomic energy to name a few.

Action and Appointments

a) Goa’s leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar has demanded a senior IPS officer or the CBI should investigate the death of tourism minister Francisco 'Mickky' Pacheco’s close friend Nadia Torrado.

b) Chhattisgarh Congress has slammed the move to reinstate Babulal Agrawal, a 1988 batch Chhattishgarh cadre IAS as probes by Economic Offences Wing and the Income Tax department are continuing.

Read

IAS with 220 bank accounts

TKA Nair launches marketing intelligence cell for SME

IT was not the usual intelligence gathering mechanism that home ministry or a section of PMO is familiar with. TKA Nair, one of the most powerful bureaucrats in the country and principal secretary to the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the marketing intelligence cell for micro, small and medium enterprises, set up by the national small industries corporation.

Such a cell was necessitated during this current era of globalization as patterns of fashions or tastes in the domestic and international market besides information about the trends in exports are getting changed now. These are vital inputs for making MSMEs aware about their marketing strategy which this cell would provide.

Dinesh Rai, secretary, MSME, chairman of NSIC Dr HP Kumar, M Raman, Director General (S&D), Madhav Lal, AS&DC (MSME) and other officers of the ministry and NSIC were present during the occasion.

Former UPSC chairman gets 3rd IOS life time achievement award

Vice President of India M Hamid Ansari presented the “3rd IOS Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr AR Kidwai, the former Governor of Bihar, West Bengal, Haryana and the former Chairman, UPSC. The award consists of Rs one lakh, a citation and a memento.

Action and Appointments

a) Kailash Chandra Joshi, has been appointed as an Additional Judge of the Rajasthan High Court.

b) Boregowda Sreenivase Gowda and Keralapura Nanjundaiah Keshavanarayana have been appointed as additional judges of the Karnataka High Court for a period of two years.

Defence minister admits he receives complaints on pension for ex-servicemen; urges his officers to expedite process

IN A serious bid to ensure timely disbursal of the revised pensions and arrears for retired Armed Forces personnel, India’s defence minister AK Antony has asked the defence finance officials to expedite and streamline the pension system. While inaugurating the controllers’ conference of the defence accounts department in New Delhi on Wednesday, he further said, “Even now, I am getting a lot of complaints from people that they are not getting pensions... Considering the past, things have improved, but even then complaints are there still... So you must take all steps possible so that they get their dues at the earliest,”. He also said that how the government had made an attempt to infuse more transparency in the huge defence outlay, which is over Rs1.52 lakh crore for the current financial year itself.

Secretary of defence finance Ms Indu Liberhan (In Picture with AK Antony) stressed the need for continuing institutionalized interaction between the defence finance and the three Services. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India Vinod Rai, a 1972 batch IAS, also addressed on the occasion.

Anil Ambani meets TKA Nair

ADAG chairman and younger of the Ambani brothers, Anil Ambani, on Wednesday held a separate meeting with Principal Secretary to the PM, TKA Nair for about 10 meetings before he met with the PM. Mr Ambani lost the recent case Supreme Court case on gas disputes to his elder brother and RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani. The government was also a party to the case. What transpired in the meeting is not known.

Action and Appointments

a) Mr Rajiv, an UP cadre IPS officer of 1975 batch, has been appointed as Director General of National Disaster Response Force and Civil Defence (NDRFCD).

b) Chairman of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Brijeshwar Singh said that achieving the target of building 20 km road every day would be possible with speedier acquisition of land for which chief secretaries of the states have been taking monthly meetings.

c) Anti-corruption wing of the Orissa government registered a criminal case against a 1995 batch IAS officer B P Sethi among others. He was allegedly involved in financial irregularities when he was a director of animal husbandry and veterinary service two years ago.

d) Secretary (Border Management), ministry of home affairs (MHA), AE Ahmed (In Picture) spoke at the annual conference of relief commissioners and secretaries of the department of disaster management of states and UTs, 2010, in New Delhi on May 12, 2010.

FAIR PLAY: DoPT wants quick comments on whether the selection of plum foreign posts is transparent

ARE procedures adopted for selection to captive posts in international organizations like IMF, World Bank, ADB etc. and foreign government of India posts like PMI and WTO Geneva, transparent? This forms one of 20 questions of a detailed questionnaire sent out by the Establishment Officer’s wing of the DoPT recently to state governments and Central government ministries and departments as a part of the government’s introspection on officers’ postings.

In fact, the selection process of some of the plum foreign posts earmarked for government officers was questioned earlier, as there have always been huge a competition to get such posting for which occasional political interferences are also witnessed. Significantly, the questionnaire also includes a few other frank queries like whether the approval of the minister-in-charge on the recommendations of the Civil Services Board usually takes a lot of time resulting in delays, or whether the selection under the Central Staffing Scheme is done in an impartial and transparent manner.

The secretaries of the personnel departments of all the state governments and secretaries of all the ministries or departments of the Government of India are expected to take out “5 to 7 minutes” of their busy schedule to answer the questions by April 12, 2010. Suggestions are also sought on how to deal with the complaints received immediately before, or after finalization of selection process for a post as these complaints often delay the processing of the ACC proposals.

The questions also touch upon missing ACRs of the officers and the development of a software for processing of nominations for foreign training.

You can also download the 20 questions by clicking on the DoPT CIRCULAR, dated April 7, 2010

Also Read

Getting a degree in public policy in S Korea

Govt sponsors civil servants at Harvard, IDS, Duke, ISS etc.

Action and Appointments

a) As many as 95 IAS officers of 1991, 1992 and 1993 batches would fly Air India on April 10 on a two-week-long exposure tour to South Korean capital city of Seoul. The visit is designed to provide the selected officers a global perspective and an exposure to international best practices.

b) The next of kin of 75 CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Naxal attack in Dantewara district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday would be granted compensation of Rs 38.6 lakhs from various heads including ex-gratia by Central government, state government, insurance among others.

c) Task Force on MSMEs set up under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary TKA Nair was presented to the Prime Minister. The report provides a roadmap for the development and promotion of the micro, small and medium enterprises.

d) Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit asked the CAG to desist from “nit-picking” on small issues as it discourages the policymakers and especially bureaucrats. The country’s top auditor recently said that Delhi government procured low-floor buses at a higher cost.

Countdown Begins: Who will be India’s next cabinet secretary?

THE race for the next cabinet secretary’s post may get intensified in the coming days as there are just three and half months left for a new IAS officer to clinch India’s top bureaucrat’s job. But if incumbent KM Chandrasekhar, a 1970 batch Kerala cadre IAS, gets an extension for six months, as was reported by a national daily on Monday, the present permutations and combinations may go topsy-turvy.

Situation 1: Advantage Ramachandran

First, let’s do a reality check of the Situation 1 in which Mr Chandrasekhar retires as scheduled on June 14, 2010 after serving as the cabinet secretary for long three years. In that case, the senior most bureaucrat of the 1972 batch and current urban development secretary M Ramachandran is a clear winner. He is non-controversial, a strong follower of rule books, hard-working and also a hot favourite of Prime Minister’s principal secretary and one of the most influential officials in the PMO, TKA Nair. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has interacted with him on a few occasions, and is believed to have a good opinion about him. The only other 1972 batch secretary level officer who will remain serving till then is tourism secretary Sujit Banerjee, but he is no way a contender for the post.

What further helps Mr Ramachandran over someone from 1973 or 1974 batch is the fact that both home secretary GK Pillai and defence secretary Pradeep Kumar who are on two-year-long fixed terms, happen to be his batch-mates and are unlikely to be subjected under a junior cabinet secretary.

Also Read

Numerological influence of 1972 batch IAS?

Situation 2: First woman cabinet secretary

Sometime back, there were gossips in Raisina Hill that incumbent cabinet secretary Mr Chandrasekhar who is already on an extension now, may be given a post equivalent to a minister of state earlier than scheduled, paving the way for Planning Commission secretary and the topper of the current merit cum seniority list of 1972 batch IAS now, Sudha Pillai to get the coveted post. But that can be possible only if the announcement is made one and half months earlier, as Ms Pillai who is also the wife of home secretary GK Pillai, retires on April 30, 2010. babu blogger made a mistake in an earlier post saying that Ms Pillai would retire on May 31, 2010.

Her strong social sector background may rather count as a positive factor, as the cabinet secretary’s mandate no longer requires prior experiences in home or defence, as the incumbent cabinet secretary himself is a former revenue secretary. Also, NSA Shiv Shankar Menon and home secretary GK Pillai, both happen to be from the same 1972 batch IFS and IAS respectively, are likely to take care of issues related to external and internal security respectively. For Ms Pillai, the biggest strength, however, comes from the fact that Dr Singh’s government may like to make a history by elevating two women officers as foreign secretary and cabinet secretary. For the record, 1973 batch IFS Nirupama Rao is already the top diplomat of the country.

Read

BoI Ranking: India's top 3 most powerful woman bureaucrats

Woman on Top: Nirupama Rao is now foreign secretary

Situation 3: Chawla Vs Chaterje

This is a newly developed situation of present cabinet secretary getting an extension for another six months in addition to his one-year extended term. Though the national daily which flashed this speculative story on Monday did not assign any major reason for his possible extension, many of his ongoing initiatives including assessment of ministries in a structured manner could be one of the reasons for the PM to vouch for continuity.

But a six months extension for Mr Chandrasekhar means current finance secretary Ashok Chawla, a 1973 batch Gujarat cadre IAS retiring only on January 31, 2011, emerging as the top contender for the coveted post. He is known to be well-connected in power circle and has served under two Congress heavyweights – finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and home minister P Chidambaram. Though a person close to the development says that his closeness to Pranab Mukherjee may rather be counter-productive, but few people know that he has some 10 Janpath connections too!

But even a fewer people have anticipated so far that if Mr Chandrasekhar is given another extension, it could also pave the way for Pulok Chaterji, a 1974 batch UP cadre IAS and close confidante of UPA chairwoman Sonia Gandhi, to supersede a few officers to grab the top bureaucrat’s job.

A secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) during UPA’s first innings, Mr Chaterji is now in Washington DC serving as the executive director of the World Bank. After all, he had served as district magistrate of Rae Bareli in early 1980s, a director in the PMO during Rajiv Gandhi’s time, a secretary (joint secretary equivalent) in Rajiv Gandhi Foundation in early 1990s, and then a private secretary to Sonia Gandhi when she was the leader of the Opposition. A quite a strong CV indeed to clinch India’s top bureaucrat’s job!

Also Read

BoI Ranking: Pulok Chaterji is India's most powerful bureaucrat

BoI Ranking: Chawla is fourth most powerful bureaucrat

PMO continues to retain key officers

Dr Singh’s prescription for cops

PRIME Minister Dr Manmohan Singh chose to air his message to over two million, or 20 lakhs, policemen across India when he asked the 61st batch of Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers in New Delhi on Tuesday that police officers should be well versed in subjects such as cyber crimes and disaster management activities. He further said All India Services play a very important role, and IPS officers have the privilege of belonging to one of the three All India Services, the IAS and Indian Forest Service are the two other Services. “I am very encouraged about the future of our country. I think you combine in yourself a vast amount of knowledge and diversity of subjects. This augurs well for the future of our country,” he said.
Here are some excerpts of what Prime Minister spoke during the address to the IPS probationers, which was also attended by minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions and parliamentary affairs, Prithviraj Chavan, national security advisor to the Prime Minister, MK Narayanan and the Prime Minister's principal secretary, TKA Nair.

Why IPS is Privileged?
As I said, India is a quasi federation. You work in various states, you belong to particular cadres, but you also belong to the fraternity of the three privileged services whose responsibility it is to use their knowledge, wisdom and experience that they gain through operations in various parts of our country, to serve our country, to maintain its unity and integrity at all costs.

On Highhandedness of Officials
In administration of justice, one increasingly hears complaints of high handedness of officials, sometimes they happen to be police officials. So I think it is very important that in discharging your responsibilities, the enforcement of law and order must be endowed with the spirit that is consistent with what is stated in the Constitution of India.

On Lodging of FIR
Recently concerns have been expressed that very often if people go to register a First Information Report there are obstacles that they have to experience, problems arising out of the existence of vested interests. I think these are type of concerns which must be addressed. It is the right of every citizen who has a genuine complaint to have an FIR registered.
Also Read:
PM's prescription for diplomats (August 26, 2009)
Dr Singh's prescription for IAS (May 30, 2009)

Babus in Demand
Delhi Development Authority wants to fill the post of Director (Ministerial) on a deputation basis. Under secretary or and deputy secretary level officers of Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) is eligible to apply.
For details, read the Office Memo, dated January 5, 2010

2010 Guidebook: Three things an Indian bureaucrat must not do this new year

IF you are an Indian bureaucrat handling the politics of governance in a fairly complex environment, you really don't need any tips from an outsider. Yet, many of you may not realise that 2010 could be a different ball-game altogether, and you won't be able to beat the system through age-old formulae which were repeatedly proved effectve so far. Principal secretary to Prime Minister TKA Nair recently said in a lighter vein during a book launch function of a bureaucrat that a few contractors tried to teach him how to manipulate tenders when he was a young IAS! But gone are the days when getting three tenders to award the contractor of your choice is enough.

Here are 3 things you must not do in 2010.

1) Don't take a casual approach when you write on an official file. After the DoPT finally conceding that disclosure of file notings comes under the Right to Information (RTI), it is now clear that every word you write on hitherto secret sarkari files is like a spoken word in a press conference. When you write something in a file, imagine you are writing on a big black-board in front of millions of people with everyone having a mike and lots of queries. And it's not file notings alone, that are in public domain. Every word you speak in an internal meeting where minutes are being taken, you imagine you are in front of a large gathering. Remember how CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat took the RTI route to get what additional secretary of rural development ministry Arvind Mayaram (1978 batch, Rajasthan cadre IAS) said in an internal meeting. In 2010, more journalists and politicians are likely to file RTI applications than to wait for answers of Parliamentary questions.

2) Yours is no longer just a 9 to 5 job. Reason? Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's second innings of UPA will be judged on the basis of performance as the Congress this time got a pure positive mandate. That means many of the ministers would make it a point to prove their mettle and the fallouts will be more work-load on backroom boys like you. But you can't take your career too lightly either. The numbering system of appraisal which is now being practised now only for some select cadres like IAS and IFS would be followed for all Group A services. Also, third party assessment of bureaucrats has already begun on a pilot basis as 1990 batch IAS became the first officers in the country to be appraised by a group of outside experts, all former bureaucrats, when they were picked for joint secretary's posts. The bottomline is clear --- your performance will now be better monitored.

3) You have always been careful of CVC and CBI. But now, threats have come from various other quarters thanks to the new-age technology. India has 500 million cell phone users with many of those handsets having advanced feaures such as camera, MMS etc. That means almost every person around you is carrying a camera with him and he may click your picture and record your conversation with anyone knowingly or unknowingly. The moment you step out of your white ambassador, remember, you are amid millions of photographers though they are not paparazzi following celebrities. Only some days back, White House gatecrasher socialite Michaele Salahi photographed herself with India's deputy chief of mission in US Arun K Singh (actual photograph) and happily posted the picture in her Facebook! Not a big deal as she even shook hands with US president Obama and hugged American Vice President! But remember, you can be easily be featured in much popular social networking sites and make you an instant hero or a villain. No harm in trying out such platforms yourselves to understand the power of new-age media like blogs, facebook, twitter etc. But don't wait for first commiting a mistake as minister Shashi Tharoor did, or wait for a formal DoPT clarification to come on how to use such a medium. Frame your own set of dos and don'ts while reaching out to the young audience. Already, a British bureaucrat's guide to Twitter etiquette and strategy has drawn a laxman rekha. Simply follow that!

UIDAI Vacancy: Govt sends reminder on recruitment of UIDAI assistant DGs; last date now extended to 1st week of January, 2010

THE government has given a reminder to all chief secretaries of state to forward the names of the willing and eligible officers to fill up the vacancies of Assistant Director Generals (ADGs) at the level of deputy secretary or director for Nandan Nilekani-chaired UIDAI or Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under the Planning Commission. As the last date of application now is extended to the first week of January, 2010, it may indicate that the UIDAI has not been able to attract the right applicants so far. It was believed that the process of filling up the said posts was already completed. Babus of India (BoI) could not verify the reasons behind the extension of the last date of application. The posts to be filled up now are located in seven cities --- Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Ranchi, Guwahati and Bangalore, also indicating that the government has probably zeroed in the candidate for Hyderabad which also figured in the vacancy circular dated September 25, 2009. The last date of application was the third week of October, 20009. "It is again requested that the names of willing officers at the deputy secretary/director level who are eligible to work at the Centre under the Central Staffing Scheme may please be recommended to this office", said the reminder issued by the establishment officer of the department of personnel and training (DoPT). Read the actual text of the Wireless Message (Reminder), dated December 4, 2009 Related Posts: 1) Nilekani needs additional DGs in eight cities (October 2, 2009) 2) JS level officers wanted for heading the Project’s 5 regional offices (October 12, 2009) Babus as Authors Urban development secretary M Ramachandran has come out with yet another book, this time on urban renewal. The book, Urban Renewal: Policy and Response, was released by S Jaipal Reddy in New Delhi on Monday in a function which was attended by several senior bureaucrats including principal secretary to Prime Minister TKA Nair who described Mr Ramachandran as his "good friend and colleague". In addition to most senior IAS from the ministry of urban development attending the function, additional secretary in the ministry of rural development Arvind Mayaram and additional secretary in Panchayati Raj ministry J M Phatak were in the guest list. Former Tamil Nadu cadre IAS and CEO of IL&FS UIML L Krishnan was also present in the function.

Ramachandran's Earlier Book

Jobs at UIDAI: Is Nilekani preferring IAS to corporate guys?

NANDAN Nilekani, a corporate honcho now in government, is preferring to take bureaucrats, mainly IAS, on board for executing key managerial assignments in various offices of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) which has begun the process of giving a unique identification number to each of 1 billion Indian citizens. Despite the government allowing UIDAI to recruit private sector, though on government salary and on contract basis, the UIDAI has preferred the route of recruiting bureaucrats at the rank of joint secretary and deputy secretary/director. The difficulty in getting right private sector people with government salary is believed to be one of the main handicaps of UIDAI of recruiting key managers from corporate world. To give a sense of government salary structure, a joint secretary with over 20 years of experiences gets a pay of Rs 37400-67000/-(Pay Band-4 in government language) with a grade pay of Rs 10000, and other parks like accommodation. People in power corridors, however, feel that UIDAI chairman Mr Nilekani wants a brigade of IAS officers to manage the show as they are well-equipped and most suitable to understand the complex government procedure to make this fl edging project a success. Though UIDAI is in pressing need of key people right away, the recruitment of government officers needs its own time, and once selected the said officer will have to be relieved by the concerned state. Poaching private sector managers and appointing them on contract basis could have been less time-consuming than recruiting bureaucrats. The UIDAI which will have its new office in LIC building in CP, New Delhi, is likely to have a back-hand set-up of technicians in Bangalore. Till now, seven government officers including Ram Sevak Sharma (Director General and Mission Director), Ms K Ganga, Deputy Director General and five deputy secretary or director level officers were recruited to the Authority. Three more officers is likely to be on board soon, and the process of recruitment for another 10 officers is underway, sources said.

Read: Implementing govt projects is not easy, TKA Nair tells Nilekani (September 16, 2009) Nilekani needs additional DGs in 8 cities (October 2, 2009) JS level officers wanted (October 12, 2009)

BoI Ranking: India’s Top 3 Most Powerful Woman Bureaucrats are Nirupama Rao, Meera Shankar & Sudha Pillai

HAD current secretary to Planning Commission Sudha Pillai made it to the top as cabinet secretary, India’s top two bureaucrats today would have been women making history in India’s power corridors. Despite being at the top in the merit-cum-seniority list of IAS officers, Ms Pillai missed the bus as the incumbent K M Chandrasekhar was given one year’s extension after the new government was formed. Nevertheless, Nirupama Rao became the foreign secretary in July this year after another powerful IFS and Rao’s batch-mate Meera Shankar (See Picture with US Prez) was made India’s ambassador to US. After BoI’s (babus of india) selection of 5 most powerful bureaucrats, which incidentally had no woman contender, here is the list of top 3 most powerful woman bureaucrats based on feedback of politicians and senior bureaucrats who have an insight of the country’s power corridors. Interestingly, it’s a mere co-incidence that spouses of all three most powerful women bureaucrats who BoI has selected, happen to be senior IAS --- Sudhakar Rao, Ajay Shankar and G K Pillai respectively.

No 1: Nirupama Rao Being the number one Indian Foreign Service officer and only the second woman in the history to become India’s foreign secretary, Nirupama Rao is India’s most powerful bureaucrat today. An MA in English literature, this 1973 batch IFS from Kerala has held key diplomatic positions including minister for press affairs at the Indian Embassy in Washington, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of India, Moscow, MEA’s official spokesperson and India’s ambassador to China, and yes, she proved her mettle in every important post. No wonder, she was a favourite officer of former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh, and was considered highly efficient during BJP’s regime too. Her biggest challenge today is not just to ensure meaningful diplomacy with Pakistan, but to keep China engaged in a continuous dialogue process. Read: Rao’s take on art of diplomacy (August 25, 2009) No 2: Meera Shankar India’s ambassador to US Meera Shankar who has recently become a newsmaker for writing a letter to Prime Minister’s principal secretary TKA Nair giving details about US companies bribing Indian government officers, is BoI’s choice to be the second most powerful woman bureaucrat today. Born on October 9, 1950, this 1973 batch IFS was earlier India’s ambassador to Germany, and had an earlier innings at Washington (1991-’95) when India liberalized its economy under Dr Manmohan Singh’s tenure as the country’s finance minister. Wife of India’s industry secretary Ajay Shankar, a 1973 batch UP cadre IAS, Mr Shankar’s biggest challenge today is to muster the country’s economic diplomacy and help India achieve a higher than expected growth rate. No 3: Sudha Pillai This 1972 batch Kerala cadre IAS is still considered to be an asset by Team Manmohan Singh, though many in power corridors strongly believe that it was intentional on the part of the government for not giving the highly-sensitive post of cabinet secretary to a woman officer who has better understanding of only social sectors. Her biggest challenger in the race for the post of cabinet secretary was her husband and batch-mate from the same cadre G K Pillai who too lost out after the incumbent Mr Chandrasekhar was given extension. Mr Pillai was then made home secretary with a two-year-term. There’s no doubt that Ms Pillai is still the most powerful women IAS officer today, and keeping in mind her grip on India’s social sector, she is tipped to become the member secretary in the Planning Commission with a rank of a minister! Read: Pati, Patni and Post: It’s Pillai Vs Pillai for next cabinet secretary (May 11, 2009) Read: India’s Top 5 Most Powerful Bureaucrats (August 24, 2009)