Ajit Kumar Seth, an IAS officer of the 1974 batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre has been appointed the new Union cabinet secretary. The announcement was made hurriedly to avoid an embarrassment to the government after speculation that the incumbent KM Chandrasekhar, who retires next month, would get a fourth extension
The industry ministry has circulated a draft Cabinet note for allowing foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail, a move which will allay industry's concern over policy paralysis.
Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth, Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma and Home Secretary RK Singh were taken by surprise when the Army's Northern Command told them that there had been no consultations on the subject of revocation of the AFSPA even once in 2011. The chief minister's declaration was totally unilateral, the three top secretaries to the Government of India were told
With a major earthquake measuring 6.8 on the richter scale rocking mountainous state of Sikkim, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday spoke to its chief minister Pawan Kumar Chamling and offered help in all possible ways, including availability of defence forces.
The Finance Ministry and Reserve Bank have also expressed their worries over high inflation.
The committee of secretaries (CoS) looking into the issue of allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) in the multi-brand retail segment is likely to meet this Friday to try for more agreement on the issue.
In the face of a virtual revolt by the top bureaucrats who are learnt to have complained against a proposed extension (the fourth in a row) of cabinet secretary K M Chandrashekhar, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh okayed the appointment of Ajit Kumar Seth as the next cabinet secretary from Africa, where he is currently of a week-long visit.
Industry chamber Ficci has sought details from the government about the "actual progress" of the mega infrastructure projects cleared by Cabinet Committee on Investment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu all possible assistance as Cyclone Hudhud made landfall leaving five persons dead in the state and neighbouring Odisha.
Cyclone Hudhud pounded the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with heavy rain and winds of almost 200 kmph on Sunday killing four people and left a trail of destruction with Vishakapatnam where the very severe storm made landfall the worst hit.
Sujatha Singh is the third senior official to have been dismissed by NDA.
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