Dilli Ka Babu: A new challenge for Watal

Known for its reliance on babus, the Modi sarkar is reluctant to lose the services of a trusted babu who retires. Former finance secretary Ratan Watal, who ended his two-month extended tenure in April, has now been reappointed as principal adviser for social sector in the Niti Aayog for a three-year term. It’s interesting to note that the government has chosen a retired babu to ramp up and run the new age Niti Aayog. Mr Watal joins another trusted Modi aide Amitabh Kant, who is CEO of the national think tank, which in its former avatar as Planning Commission prepared five-year plans.

Mr Kant, Mr Watal and other policy wonks will now prepare a 15-year vision document called the National Development Agenda. Since 2014, when the BJP came to power, Mr Watal proved not only an able IAS officer in the finance ministry, but also played a crucial liaison role for the Modi sarkar with J&K where the BJP is in coalition with the PDP. Mr Watal oversaw smooth flow of funds for implementing Mr Modi’s development package for the state. Now Mr Watal will work on creating a blueprint for India’s long-term development goals.