Hard at work

A major reshuffle is expected in the civil aviation ministry in the coming days. Aviation secretary Nasim Zaidi retires this month. He is likely to be appointed an advisor to the aviation minister. KN Srivastava will be the new aviation secretary. Two joint secretaries are set to move out.

Major reshuffle in aviation ministry on the cards
A major reshuffle is expected in the civil aviation ministry in the coming days. Aviation secretary Nasim Zaidi retires this month. He is likely to be appointed an advisor to the aviation minister. KN Srivastava will be the new aviation secretary. Two joint secretaries are set to move out.

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While Prashant Sukul is headed for ICAO posting in Canada and has been replaced by senior IAS official Anil Srivastava, another joint secretary Alok Sinha is set to go back to his parent state - Uttar Pradesh. Two directors in the ministry are also being transferred.

While Alok Sinha is moving to external affairs ministry another director-ranked officer is going to finance ministry. The new DGCA chief Arun Mishra has also taken charge.

All praise for President Pranab
In his first briefing meeting at Rashtrapati Bhawan last Thursday, President Pranab Mukherjee told outgoing secretary to the President, Christie Fernandez to tell him how to conduct himself in this new place.

Christie, a veteran bureaucrat promptly replied, "Sir, we have always looked up to you to learn how to conduct ourselves in public life. You have always been our idol and today we are fortunate to have you here."

A scientist working with the Central Water Commission wanted to know the timeframe within which an official can file a memorial to the President against rejection of representation regarding damaging one's annual career report.

The DoPT had no answer the query, resulting in the transparency watchdog the Central Information Commission asking the department to furnish the information in 10 days time.

All in the fasting month of Ramzan
Thanks to the month of Ramzan, the busy working lunches being hosted for visiting foreign delegations are being converted into dinners - a relaxed affair by far.

The two important dinners at the ceremonial Hyderabad House of late included the one for the visiting Indonesian foreign minister Marty M Natalegawa and for Bangladesh foreign secretary Mijarul Quayes.