Following the appointment of Sanjeev Ranjan (IAS:1987:TR) as NHAI Chairman this week the power corridor is abuzz as who would be named as the Chief Secretary to the Govt of Tripura.

 

Indianmandarins has reliably learnt that it is almost clear that Tripura Government may not abide by the conventional selection procedure which considers seniority as sacrosanct. Reportedly, the Rajan’s successor may be picked from among four Additional Chief Secretary rank officers, all posted in Tripura namely; Usurupati Venkateswarlu (IAS:1986:TR), Lalit Kumar Gupta (IAS:1987:MT), Gomatham Srinivasa G Ayyangar (IAS:1987:TR) and Sushil Kumar (IAS:1987:TR).

 

There are indications that professionalism, competence and merit may overrule seniority as criteria for the top job. If this happens then Venkateswarlu may (and may not) loose the opportunity and the three batch-mates may have strong possibility of getting the top job.

 

It will be interesting to recall that Tripura Govt had in July this year made departure from the conventional school (Seniority Rule) and appointed Dr Alind Rastogi (IFoS:1986:TR) as PCCF (Head of Forest Force) by ignoring the seniority of Ashok Kumar (IFoS:1984:TR) and Surender Kumar (IFoS:1985:TR); both posted in Tripura.

 

Indianmandarins has reliably learnt that the same may be adhered to for CS post as well.