Rakesh Garg appointed as DoT secy

Garg's appointment comes within after MF Farooqui retired from the post on June 30

The Government, on Sunday, has appointed Rakesh Garg as the secretary of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Garg, the 1980 batch IAS, is currently the principal secretary in Uttar Pradesh.

 

Garg’s appointment comes within two weeks after MF Farooqui retired as the DoT secretary on June 30 after 15 months at the post. Following Farooqui’s retirement, the Ram Sewak Sharma, who is the secretary of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, was given additional charge of the DoT for three months or till the appointment of the new secretary, whichever is earlier. 

 

During his Central deputation, Garg had worked as the additional secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and joint secretary at the Department of Food and Public Distribution.

 

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has also approved appointment of Jugal Kishore Mohapatra as the secretary for the Department of Fertiliser. Mohapatra, a 1979 batch IAS, is currently serving as the chief secretary in Orissa. Mohapatra will succeed Shaktikanta Das who moved to the Revenue Department last month.

 

Rajan B Katoch will become the Heavy Industries secretary and SK Panda will take over as the secretary in Ministry of Textiles.

 

Katoch, a 1979 batch IAS officer and serving as Enforcement Director would replace S Behuria, who retires on July 31. Panda, a 1980 batch IAS officer would succeed Zohra Chatterji who retires at the end of this month.

 

Katoch will also look after the duties of the post of Enforcement Director in addition to the charge of Heavy Industry Secretary for a period of six months or till the appointment of a regular incumbent, according to the official order.

 

N. Ravi Shanker, a 1980 batch IAS, currently the administrator, Universal Service Obligation Fund, DoT, will become the Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances, and secretary, Department of Pensions & Pensioners’ Welfare, noted the official announcement.