Goyal scouts for 'young & dynamic' private secretary

Experience in the power sector is desirable, though not necessary

In a departure of sorts, Piyush Goyal, minister of state for power, coal and renewable energy, has invited applications from "young and dynamic" Indian Administrative Service officers for the post his private secretary. For appointment to the post, experience in the power sector was desirable, though not necessary, according to an advertisement posted on the Department of Personnel and Training website on Wednesday.

The advertisement doesn't state whether or not association with any minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government would qualify an applicant for the job. Though there have been instances of ministers advertising for posts of private secretaries and seeking to identify talent in this regard, the move is a first for the new government.

In the advertisement, Goyal's email id has been mentioned as the point of contact, suggesting he would take a decision on the matter.

Two months after coming to power, the Narendra Modi-led government is still in the process of scouting for ministers' private secretaries and officers on special duty (OSDs). Appointments to various positions at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) are also underway.

Under the new government, the issue of appointing private secretaries has grabbed headlines. Many senior ministers have had to deviate from their choices of private secretaries and OSDs, following a directive from the PMO that the names have to be vetted by the highest office. Also, it was directed anyone part of the personal staff of a UPA minister wouldn't be eligible for the post of personal secretary.

Recently, the government came out with yet another directive in this regard, saying anyone part of the personal staff of any UPA minister couldn't be employed as OSD, additional personal secretary, assistant personal secretary or first personal assistant to a minister.

The order could affect about 40 officials working informally with National Democratic Alliance ministers.
UP FOR GRABS

• Experience in the power sector was desirable, though not necessary
• It's not clear whether or not association with any minister in the UPA govt would qualify an applicant for the job