As reported first by Indianmandarins, the PMO has got actively involved in the search and selection process of new chief of market regulator Sebi. This has severely reduced the conventional monopolistic role of the Finance Ministry in the process. While the search-cum-selection-committee (SCSC) constituted for the purpose is headed by the Cabinet Secretary, additional principal secretary to the PM Dr P K Mishra has replaced a nominee of the Finance Ministry. The latter is represented in the SCSC only through Economic Affairs Secretary. Conventionally, three expert members on the SCSC were also picked up and nominated by the Finance Ministry. This time the convention stands broken as all the three expert members were handpicked by the PMO. Indianmandarins has learnt that Rajiv Kumar, economist and senior fellow at the Centre for Policyand former Secretary General of FICCI, Bimal Patel, VC of National Law University, Gandhinagar, one Mr Panda would assist the SCSC as expert members in selecting the new Sebi chief.