NEW DELHI: Top bureaucratic positions in the two most powerful ministries of the Modi government — Home Affairs and Finance — witnessed at least three changes within 15 months after the NDA came to power. The government made around 78 transfers at the secretary level since it came to power in May last year.
Present Home Secretary Rajiv Meharshi is the third Home Secretary after the exit of Anil Goswami and transfer of LC Goyal to ITPO. Similarly, Department of Economic Affairs under Finance Ministry has seen three Secretaries since May last year. List of Secretary level transfers on Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) website suggests that around 20 ministries have seen three secretaries since May last year.
In October last, Arvind Mayaram, the then Secretary (Economic Affairs) was transferred to tourism ministry, but even before he took charge, the new order cancelled the same and instead, appointed him as Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs. Mayaram was replaced by Mehrishi who was recently made Home Secretary on the day of his superannuation and the government decided to bring Shaktikanta Das as Secretary, Economic Affairs. The Department of Revenue in the Finance Ministry also had three secretaries in the last 15 months.
Rajiv Takru who served as Revenue Secretary in the erstwhile UPA regime, was the first to be shifted to the Development of North Eastern Region in June and ultimately, to the minority commission. He was succeded by Shaktikanta Das, who has been now moved to economic affairs department handing over the charge to Hasmukh Adhia.