The NaMo administration on Friday effected Secretary-level changes that include the appointment of Ex-IAS Raghavendra Singh (1983:WB) as Union Secretary, Ministry of Culture on a re-employment basis for a period of one year. Raghavendra Singh will continue to hold the charge of the post of Chief Executive Officer, Development of Museums and Cultural Spaces. His appointment would follow the terms and conditions applicable to re-employed Central Government officers.

Ms S Aparna (lAS:1988:GJ), awaiting posting, was appointed as Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. She will succeed P D Vaghela (lAS:1986:GJ) on his superannuation on 30.09.2020. Prior to this, she worked as Executive Director, World Bank. 
Apurva Chandra (lAS:1988:MH) appointed as Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment; a post that is falling vacant this month with the retirement of Hira Lal Samariya (IAS:1985:TG). Presently, Chandra is working as Special Secretary and Director General Defence Acquisition.
Further, Anand Kumar (lAS:1984:KL), Union Culture Secretary, was abruptly shifted to National Commission for Backward Classes under the Ministry of Social Justice as Secretary. He replaces Ajoy Kumar (lAS:1984:BH:84) retiring on 30.09.2020.

The appointment of all four senior IAS officers offers many things to observe and analyze. 

Having got a fresh lease of career Raghavendra Singh joins the league of Parameshwaran Iyer, PC Mody (CBDT Chairman), V K Yadav (Chairman Railway Board), and alike who were re-appointed on Secretary rank position on a contract-basis. It makes few others hopeful as well. Though Raghavendra Singh is already working as CEO, Development of Museums and Cultural Spaces in the rank of Secretary on a re-employment basis but ahead of West Bengal elections his appointment assumes a little more significance. This also signifies the influence of another West Bengal cadre IAS who was supposed to be a factor in his empanelment from Secretary-equivalent to Secretary-level in Govt of India. Interestingly, Raghavendra Singh is back to the chamber which he left in June 2019 on his retirement. Ex Culture Secretary becomes incumbent Culture Secretary now. 

Further, the lateral shift of Anand Kumar in quick succession is something that has drawn attention as well.  He was laterally shifted from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to the Ministry of Culture in the month of April this year.

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The NaMo administration on Friday appointed Juhi Mukherjee (IAS:2007:UT) as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs for a period of four years.

Further, Rai Mahimapat Ray (IAS:2011:JH) was appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs for a period of four years.

Anvita Sinha (IRPS:2003) was on Friday appointed as Director in the Department of Justice for a period of five years.

Sonamani Haobam (IES:2009) was on Friday appointed as Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change for a period of four years.

Abhishek Kumar (IRS IT:2006) was appointed as Director in the National Health Authority under the Department of Health & Family Welfare for a period of five years.

The NaMo administration on Thursday extended the tenure Pankaj Saran (IFS:1982) as Deputy National Security Advisor (Deputy NSA) for a period of one year beyond 03.09.2020 on a contract basis.

The NaMo administration announced the extension of tenure of Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) in three Central PSUs:

• Tenure of Ms Mamta Sanjeev Dubey (IFS:1986:UP) as CVO, IRCON was extended  for a period of two years beginning 26.09.2020
• Tenure of the additional charge of the post of CVO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bangalore to Srikant Walgad (IAS:1991:HY) was extended for a period of 6 months beyond 31.08.2020 (upto 28.02.2021). Presently, Walgad is CVO Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
• Tenure of the additional charge of the post of CVO, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), Vishakhapattanam to V V Satya Sreenivas (IRSME:1995) was extended for a period upto 09.02.2021 beginning 11.09.2020. Currently, Sreenivas is working as CVO National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), Hyderabad.  

Central deputation tenure of Sanjay Kumar Sinha (IFS:1993:JK), working as Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Education (MHRD) was on Thursday extended for a period of 03 months beyond 23.08.2020.