Probably it is for the first time when the NaMo Administration has appointed five IAS officers 0f 1982 batch as OSD (secretary-in-waiting for various departments). Among five OSDs, Dr. Amarjit Singh has been named as OSD five months ahead of the retirement of Shashi Shekhar, the outgoing Secretary in the Ministry of WRRD&GR. Similarly, two secretaries belonging to 1982 batch were also shifted laterally. Both will replace each other in the respective ministries.
It is pointed out that it was more than a mere coincidence that out of five fresh appointments from 1982 batch IAS officers, all five are made OSDs. The ACC cleared the appointments on Thursday.
Dinesh Singh (IAS:1982:UP) has been appointed OSD in Dept of Land Resources. After one month long tenure as OSD, he will replace Vijay Shankar Madan as Secretary Dept of Land Resources on September 01, 2016. Madan will retire on August 30, 2016. Currently, Singh serves as Special Secretary, Department of Statistics & Program Implementation.
Ms. M Sathiavathy (IAS:1982:UT) has been appointed OSD, Department of Labour and Employment. She will replace Shankar Agarwal (IAS:1980:UP) as Secretary on October 1, 2016. Agarwal will retire on September 30, 2016. Ms. Sathiavathy served as DG, DGCA since September 08, 2015.
Dr. Amarendra Kumar Dubey (IAS:1982:KL) has been appointed as OSD, Department of Youth Affairs. He will replace Rajiv Gupta (IAS:1979:UD), the outgoing Secretary after hs retirement on September 30, 2016. Currently, he serves as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal.
Ms. Latha Krishna Rao (IAS:1982:KN) has been appointed OSD, Department of Social Justice. She will have a three months to serve as OSD prior to making it as Secretary vice Ms. Anita Agnihotri (IAS:1980:OR) on November 1, 2016. Ms. Agnihotri will retire on October 31, 2016.
Dr. Amarjit Singh (IAS:1982:GJ) has been appointed OSD, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. He will have a five-month long tenure as OSD prior to making it as Secretary vice Shashi Shekhar (IAS:1981:TN) who will retire on December 31, 2016.