The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on Monday accepted the resignation of Parameswaran lyer (Voluntarily Retired IAS:1981:UP), Union Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation with effect from 21.08.2020. 

Iyer took VRS from the IAS in 2009. Known as a leading water and sanitation specialist worldwide he returned from the United States on PM Modi’s call to head India’s cleanliness drive ‘Swachch Bharat Mission’. Making it the first case of lateral entry in NaMo Government in 2016 Iyer became the first former bureaucrat to be appointed to the post in the ministry instead of a serving IAS officer. 

It is abuzz that performance under Parameswaran would have met a saturation point and further another capable officer Bharat Lal (IFS:1988:GJ) is already serving in the ministry of Jal Shakti at Additional Secretary post.

Further, few enthusiasts in power corridors are perplexed over the timing of his resignation assuming that Iyer may be drafted into another key post. 

Contrary to the buzz and undying speculations Indianmandarins has learned from well-placed sources that having accomplished his task and making a mark during a four years long tenure Iyer is all set to move to the US to join his family members. Reportedly, he may make a new beginning in the US as a leading water and sanitation specialist.