It is common knowledge that IAS and IPS officers have been at perennial loggerheads and for apparent administrative hegemony reasons. An ego-ridden superiority complex is almost like the order of the day. However, at a recent civic reception accorded to vice-president M. Venkaiah Naidu by the Telangana state government recently, there was little sign of the rivalry, much to the surprise of the august gathering. Officers from two crucial departments seem to have set aside their egos.
Senior bureaucrats from the state administration and the police department were seen exchanging pleasantries and glowed in absolute delight in doing so. In what could possibly be the first-of-its-kind diplomatic move, all senior IAS and IPS officers sat together till the end of the 80-minute felicitation programme. The friendly gestures did not miss the eye of those present. Several Ministers, MPs and MLAs said it was very rare to see IAS and IPS officials looking friendly and warming up to each other. But clearly it was a temporary truce, though it did kindle hopes that a rapprochement is always possible.
A major reshuffle of senior babus
Senior bureaucrat Rajiv Kumar was appointed secretary in the department of financial services (DFS), while Anita Karwal was named Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) chairperson as part of a major reshuffle. They are among 17 civil servants appointed as secretaries and additional secretaries in various central government departments. Mr Kumar, a 1984 batch IAS officer of Jharkhand cadre, is at present special secretary and establishment officer in the ministry of personnel.
He was appointed in place of Anjuly Chib Duggal, who superannuated. Quite a substantive move with implications beyond the obvious. Mr Kumar has spearheaded several reforms in Indian bureaucracy, including an online system for recording of the bureaucrats annual performance appraisal reports and 360 degree system to assess suitability of officers for senior-level jobs. He will be succeeded by Pradip Kumar Tripathi. Ms Karwal, who is additional secretary in the ministry of human resources development, was named chairperson of CBSE in place of Rajesh Kumar Chaturvedi.
Swadeshi spells safety
Only Indian phones for defence officials. It is likely to happen soon. The Centre is considering the creation of a secure communications ecosystem for its officials, specially those working in the defence sector. The suggestion on mobiles came up at a meeting called by minister for electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad with senior officials in the department. The ministry is already working on a data protection law, but it is also looking at ways to secure communication between the vital government departments, specially defence.
Apparently, the recent move to seek details of security and safety processes followed by various handset manufacturers selling smartphones in the country is the first step in this exercise. Though further details are to be worked out, there is a possibility that the firm supplying mobile phones to government departments will be asked to customise certain features and adhere to certain specifications. There is a new email policy on the anvil too. Obviously, it will be the largest service of its kind for the government. An email id will be assigned to all officials at the Centre and state level through National Informatics Centre. The email will offer enhanced security authentication mechanisms such as geofencing and device mapping.
