New Delhi (28.08.2021): For Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Cadre officers the month of August is marked by a rare development. The Union Government in the last one week appointed as many as nine CSS cadre officers in the rank of Joint Secretary.

On Friday four CSS Cadre officers were empanelled and consequently appointed as Joint Secretary (in-situ) in the respective departments/ministries they are working as Director at present. Accordingly;

1. Alok Agarwal was appointed as Joint Secretary in the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmer’s Welfare
2. Ms A Perin Devi Rao was appointed as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
3. Ms A Dhanalakshmi was appointed as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs (National Commission of Minorities)
4. Ms Varsha Sinha was appointed as Joint Secretary in the Department of Personnel & Training

Of four, three officers belong to the 2012 batch of the Select List of Directors whereas another officer Ms Varsha Sinha is from 2015 batch.

It may further be underlined that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had on August 23, 2021, appointed five CSS Cadre officers to Joint Secretary rank posts in the Govt of India. Accordingly;

1. Ms Vandana Jain- Joint Secretary in the Department of Health and Family Welfare
2. Ms. Sreyashi Chaudhury- Advsor NDMA under Ministry of Home Affairs
3. Ms. Mercy Epao- Joint Secretary, Ministry of Micro,  Small & Medium Enterprises
4. Ajay Kumar Kanojia- Additional Secretary, Central Vigilance  Commission (CVC) and
5. S K Jha- Joint Secretary in the Department of Revenue