Why Natgrid chief was not invited to DGPs' conference
Many believe that Intelligence Bureau's (IB) move to keep Natgrid chief Raghu Raman out of the last month's conference of directors general of police was intended to send a clear message that the technology-driven grid wasn't high on its priority. Of course, many IB officers have been cold to Natgrid and NCTC but they played along since then union home minister P Chidambaram was keen on the two projects. With Chidambaram moving to finance, there was speculation that these officers found it a good chance to slight Raman.

DoPT officials to ready report card on anti-graft activities
Officials at the department of personnel & training (DoPT) will have to themselves write India's report card on anti-corruption activities. The department had a few months ago invited consultants to prepare a "self evaluation study" of India's status of compliance at provisions of the tinned Nations Convention Against Corruption and the "country response" to the UN body's implementation review system. Since only one firm responded to its notice after several extended deadlines, the department was uncomfortable about awarding the order and risk irregularity charges being levelled at them.

62 IAS officers to be promoted as joint secretaries
The Cabinet Committee on Appointments has approved promotion of 62 IAS officers of the 1993 batch as joint secretaries to the Government of India. Of them, seven belong to Andhra Pradesh cadre and five each to Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. But no decision has been taken about promotion of the 1979 batch as secretaries to the Government of India. They are presently additional secretaries in various ministries, awaiting their elevation.

The 1983 batch IAS officers are also awaiting news about their promotion as additional secretaries. They expect it may happen in December.