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Is Niti Aayog becoming a 'parking slot'

By IndianMandarins- 07 Mar 2019
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Dr Ashok Kumar Jain (Retired IFoS:1983:TG) is counted among the few lucky officers who have secured attractive post-retirement assignments in the Govt of India.


After his retirement on 28 February 2019 from the post of PCCF and Vice Chairman & MD of Telangana Forest Development Corporation, Dr Jain was on Tuesday was recommended for the appointment as the Principal Adviser (Apex scale) of the NITI Aayog for a period of three years.


Reportedly, his appointment was justified by his prior experience and substantial contribution in NITI Aayog. He is considered an expert on sustainable development in the Indian Himalayan Region. During his prior stint with NITI, Dr Jain worked on rural development, drinking water and sanitation, housing and sustainable urban development, etc. 


But there has been murmuring over several such appointments as the NITI Aayog, like its previous Avatar Planning Commission, is seen becoming a 'parking slot' for retired officers or serving officers who don't wish to repatriate to their state cadres.


In power corridors, it is being said that NITI Members and Vice Chairman are favoring the appointment of retired officers even though NITI already has a battery of full-time officers serving as Advisers and Principal Advisers. There are already one Special Secretary, one Principal Consultant, one Additional Secretary, two Senior Advisers, and nine Advisers — who are full-time Govt of India appointees. Yet retired officers are being inducted on the ground of experience and contribution.


It may be mentioned that earlier C K Murali and U K Sharma were taken on board of the NITI as members post-retirement.

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