Two Karnataka cadre IAS officers have been appointed secretaries by the Union government in a major reshuffle of senior officers effected on Thursday.

Brahm Dutt, a 1973 batch officer, currently holding the post of  Chairperson, National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention, has been appointed Secretary, Department of Road Transport and Highways. Falguni Rajkumar, a 1972 batch officer, presently in the State, has been posted as Secretary, North Eastern Council Secretariat, Shillong, under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

In other changes, Vijay Singh, IAS (Madhya Pradesh, 1970) presently Secretary, Department of Road Transport and Highways, will take over as Defence Secretary, after Shekhar Dutt retires on July 31.

Pradeep Kumar, IAS (Haryana, 1972), presently Chairperson, National Highways Authority of India, has been posted as Secretary, Department of Disinvestment, Ministry of Finance.

Sheela Bhide, IAS (Andhra Pradesh, 1973), presently Special Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of External Affairs, will assume office as Chairperson, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). 

Ajay Shanker, IAS (Uttar Pradesh, 1973), presently Principal Adviser, Planning Commission will take over as Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion.

J S Maini, IAS (Punjab, 1974), presently Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Department of Fertilizers, has been posted as  Chairperson, National Highways Authority of India. Badal K Das, IAS (MP, 1972), Secretary, Ministry of Culture, will  hold the additional charge of the post of Secretary, Ministry of Tourism.