JOIN USRamesh Negi may not end up as Delhi’s new chief secretary, said government sources, adding that 1980 batch IAS officer Naini Jayaseelan appears closer to getting the coveted assignment.
Though Kejriwal govt seems keen on appointment of Negi, a 1984 batch IAS officer, sources said he may not make it to the post as he is not empanelled as additional secretary with the central government.
Empanelment as additional secretary is a prerequisite for the post which now is likely to go to NCR Planning Board Member Secretary Jayaseelan, a 1980 batch IAS officer who has served in Delhi earlier.
Apart from stints in tourism and revenue departments of the Delhi government, she has also undergone training in Quantitative Methods and Operational Research for Public Policy and Management at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.
A 1979-batch IAS officer, Anand Prakash too is in contention by virtue of being empanelled as additional secretary. But he is 59 years old while Jayaseelan is 58 and stands an advantage of remaining in the post for a longer tenure.
The selection of the next chief secretary was on Thursday also discussed by Kejriwal with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
Sources said the Home Minister conveyed to Kejriwal the inability of the central government to approve the name of Negi for the top Delhi bureaucratic post.
Negi is currently serving as Chief Secretary in Arunachal Pradesh. Current Delhi Chief Secretary D M Spolia is due to retire this month-end.