THE BIG ONE
The extended tenure of Cabinet secretary Ajit Seth is ending and Modi sarkar is scouting for his replacement, reportedly to take over from
Mr Seth in mid-October. Mr Seth, it may be recalled, was slated to retire in June but was given a six-month extension by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he took office. Sources say that though Mr Modi retained Mr Seth, he has been searching for a suitable replacement. It is clear that the next Cabinet secretary will have to be someone not just eligible but also attuned to the Prime Minister’s approach to governance. Apparently, the Prime Minister’s Office has shortlisted Rajasthan chief secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, petroleum secretary Saurabh Chandra and shipping secretary Vishwapati Trivedi for the coveted position. But there could be surprises since the decision is the Prime Minister’s to make, and Mr Modi chooses his babus with care. Though it’s unlikely that all those who are considering a shot at the position will give up their efforts to make it to the list, who ultimately wins will be only one man’s choice.
Gone babu, gone!
As if the shortage of Indian Administrative Service babus was not worrying enough, it appears now that several IAS officers are missing in action, some of them for several years, and the government is clueless about their whereabouts! It may be time for the government to reconsider “study leave”, which has become the preferred ploy of many bureaucrats to go abroad for several years, and not return.The department of personnel and training has recorded 19 IAS officers and two Indian Police Service officers who are on unauthorised leave for several years. They are from different state cadres (showing a democratic urge among babus across states to play truant), but the government has been unable to trace them or take action against them. It is believed that under present rules, these babus cannot be denied permission to rejoin active duty, should they choose to. It makes this rather curious matter even more perplexing!
Love them, hate them ignore them at national peril, is the babu guarantee and Dilip’s belief. Share significant babu escapades dilipcherian@hotmail.com
