Immediately after the abrupt repatriation of Mrs Reena Ray (IAS:1984:UT), Secretary, Department of School Education under Union HRD Ministry, last week, it was speculated that she may be made Delhi Chief Secretary vice Vijay Kumar Dev (IAS:1987:UT). Indianmandarins explored the prospect with several top officials and it is learnt that MHA might not destabilise the Delhi administration.

It may be underlined that the incumbent Delhi CS, presently holding the additional charge of NDMC chairman as well, had earlier served as Chief Electoral Officer in Delhi. Having well versed with the Delhi affairs, the NaMo administration may not find it much productive to destabilise the Delhi administration ahead of Delhi Assembly elections.

In addition to the reasons for abrupt unceremonious repatriation of Mrs Ray, which Indian Express broke first, there were other factors too which went against her abrupt unceremonious repatriation just 18 months ahead of retirement. If well-placed sources are to be believed differences and bitterness with juniors under her department would have added to her predicament and made her chances bleak to become Delhi’s next CS.