By B S Reporter
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved further one year extension to Ajay Kumar Bhalla as Union Home Secretary, beyond 22.08.2023. He will hold the position till 22.08.2024. This has been done in relaxation of FR 56(d) and Rule 16(1A) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 19.
This has been done as per expectation as cabinet secretry Rajiv Gauba has also been given extension for one more year. Since 2024 will be an election year, the centre will not take chances by changing home secretary at this crucial juncture. It has given many officers heart burns who were vying for this post.
According to sources, current cooperation secretary Gyanesh Kumar was also trying for this coveted post. Kumar, a 1988 batch Kerala cadre had served as additional secretary in home ministry from 2018-2021.
“Kumar had worked under Amit Shah as additional secretary in home ministry. He is currently working under Amit Shah in his capacity as union minister of cooperation. However, he missed the bus as government didn't want to experiment in this crucial year,” said a senior bureaucrat.
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 and Rule 16(1A) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 19.){kind=link}