Power corridors are abuzz with speculations that Dr Rajkumar Khatri (IAS:1988:KN) may be appointed chairman of Coffee Board of India. The post has been lying vacant since May 10, 2015 vice Jawaid Akhtar (IAS:1989:KN). Khatri is currently serving in his cadre state as Principal Secretary (PS), Disaster Management, in the Revenue Department prior to which he served as PS, Dept of Primary and Secondary Education. Reportedly, G Anantha Ramu (IAS:1990:AP) is also in the race for the post. Ms Leena Nair (IAS:1982:TN) was given additional charge (w.e.f. May 11, 2015) which was further extended on November 12 last year up to February 11, 2016. It may be noted that coffee exports, during Akhtar's tenure, had hit a record turnover of 3.33 lakh tonnes in 2012-13 fetching $1 billion in revenue. As Chairman & CEO of the board, Akhtar took several initiatives aimed at value-addition, research and entrepreneurial talent programmes.