New Delhi (30.12.2020): Vacancies at Secretary level posts in Govt of India have been crying to be filled. As of now, more than five of these posts are facing suspense and uncertainty. And the numbers of vacancies may increase tomorrow with the addition of two more.

Some of the crucial posts vacant for several months are:

• Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training: Vacant since 30 Sept 2020 vice Dr. C Chandramouli ((IAS:1985:TN)
• Secretary Mines: Vacant since Sushil Kumar (lAS:1987:TR) since 25 July 2020
• Secretary I&B: Vacant vice Ravi Mittal (IAS:1986:BH) since 25 April 2020
• Secretary Drinking Water & Sanitation: Vacant vice Parameswaran Iyer (Retd IAS:1983)
• Secretary, Statistics & Program Implementation: Praveen Srivastava (ISS:1984) since 31 August 2020.

Further, another two Secretary posts will become vacant tomorrow with the retirement of Ravi Kapoor (IAS:1986:AM), Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, and Chhabilendra Roul (IAS:1985:PB), Secretary, Department of Fertilizers.

Several other key posts are also orphaned: Members' posts in CBDT, Chairperson NCWC, DG CISF, DG NSG, Chairman NCLAT, and Chairpersons & Directors in half a dozen IITs. Further, hundreds of posts of Independent Directors in Central PSUs are in limbo.