Modi govt carries out first major reshuffle of top bureaucrats

NEW DELHI: In its first major reshuffle of the top bureaucracy, cleared just before Prime Minister NarendraModi left for the BRICS summit in Brazil, the NDA government has named new secretaries for as many as 10 ministries and departments. The new appointments cover the department of telecommunications, fertilizers, DoPT and urban development, among others.

Announcing the secretary-level changes approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), DoPT on Sunday said Rakesh Garg, now serving in his cadre, would be the new telecom secretary. He comes in the place of M F Farooqui, who has retired.

Sanjay Kothari, secretary in the department of administrative reforms and grievances, will take over as secretary DoPT after incumbent S K Sarkar retires later this month. Kothari's assignments will now be handled by N Ravi Shankar, presently administrator with Universal Service Obligation Fund in DoT.

While Enforcement Directorate chief Rajan S Katoch will replace Sutanu Behuria, who retires later this month, as secretary, department of heavy industry, he will also continue to look after his duties in ED for a period of six months or until his successor is appointed, whichever is earlier.

Women and child development secretary Shankar Agarwal has been transferred to urban development ministry. The top post in the urban development ministry fell vacant upon the retirement of incumbent Sudhir Krishna. Vinay Sheel Oberoi, a 1979 batch IAS officer, will replace Agarwal as secretary, women and child development.

Sanjay Kumar Panda, a 1980 batch IAS officer now posted in his cadre, will move to the Centre as secretary, ministry of textiles. Incumbent Zohra Chatterji is due to retire on July 31. Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, (Orissa cadre, 1979 batch), also in the cadre, has been appointed secretary, department of fertilizers in the vacancy of Shaktikanta Das.

Hara Krushna Das, a Gujarat cadre IAS officer of 1980 batch, will join as secretary, Inter-State Council secretariat under the ministry of home affairs, in the vacancy caused by the retirement of Tabom Bam. Also, Archana Ranjan, an IRS officer, was appointed special secretary-cum-director general, Central Economic Intelligence Bureau that falls under the department of revenue.

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