In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Saurabh Garg, a 1991 batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, as the Secretary of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The announcement was made through an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel on Thursday.
Mr. Garg, currently serving as the Secretary in the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, will assume his new role until his superannuation on July 31, 2024. Post-retirement, he will continue on a contract basis for one year or until further orders, adhering to the usual terms and conditions for retired government officers. Additionally, he will serve as the Secretary to the National Statistical Commission, as specified in the order.
The ACC’s reshuffle also includes the appointment of six other officers to various ministries and departments at the Joint Secretary level:
Sachidanand Prasad (IP&TA&FS:1994) has been named Secretary of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) under the Ministry of AYUSH, replacing Binod Kumar (ICAS:1993). Prasad will serve until his superannuation on December 31, 2027.
Nitin Kumar Yadav (IAS:2000) has been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce, replacing M Balaji (IAS:2005). Yadav will serve until September 12, 2028.
Kamlesh Kumar Mishra (IRTS:2003) has been appointed as Joint Secretary of the Sixteenth Finance Commission under the Department of Economic Affairs for a five-year term.
Pradeep Kumar (IP&TA&FS:1995) will replace Mukta Shekhar (IRAS:1994) as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries, serving until his superannuation on March 31, 2026.
Shersha (CSS) has been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs until October 31, 2025, replacing Shahnawaz Alam (IP&TA&FS).
Pankaj Yadav (IAS:2001) has been named Joint Secretary in the Department of Rural Development, serving until October 30, 2027, replacing Karma Zimpa Bhutia (IFOS:1997).
Vinod Kumar Tripathi (IRSE-Civil: 1995) has been appointed as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Steel, serving until his superannuation on December 31, 2027, replacing Ruchika Chaudhry Govil (IRS-IT:1990).
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