Indianmandarins has reliably learnt that Akshay Kumar Rout (IIS:1984), an officer of Indian Information Service, will take over the charge of OSD in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation on 1 May 2016. Reportedly, the concerned departments have already been instructed to identify the rooms for the officer who is expected to promote the Swachch Bharat Mission in audio-visual and digital media platforms. Prior to this, Rout held the additional charge of DG (News), Doordarshan. It may be noted that DoPT had earlier declined the MoS (I&B) Rajyavardhan Rathore's proposal to 'depute' Akshay Kumar Rout as chief of IIMC. Till October 2014, Rout also served with the Election Commission of India as DG, Information Education & Communications).