WATERLOO: Civil servants may show their talent in a Water Polo event in Delhi

CALL it a freedom from boredom. Come August 29 and 30, civil servants in India may have some fun in water. The Central Civil Services Cultural & Sports Board is organizing an inter-ministerial aquatic meet in Delhi under which Water Polo competitions would take place provided there is enough number of government employees ready to participate the event. In addition to Water Polo matches, the government has planned to organize swimming events including free style, back stroke, breast stroke and butterfly both for male and female sarkari employees. The events are scheduled to be held at Pacific Sports Complex near LSR college in the national capital. However, the events may not take place at all if there are a less number of participants, a government circular said. The government employees from various ministries would have to register in a prescribed proforma with an entry fee of Rs 10 per head per event and Rs 50 for Water Polo and team events. The details can be obtained over phone from the office of Central Civil Services Cultural & Sports Board at 011-24624204. Many in the government feel that the proposed aquatic event in Delhi, which hosts Commonwealth Games next year, would encourage government babus to think beyond cricket.

Action & Appointments a) Sudha Pillai, a 1972 batch Kerla cadre IAS, and presently secretary in the ministry of labour and employment has been appointed as secretary of the Planning Commission in place of S C Pani, a 1972 batch Orissa cadre IAS who has retired. P C Chaturvedi, a 1975 batch UP cadre IAS and currently Director General, ESIC would be new labour secretary. Ms Pillai was a strong contender for the cabinet secretary’s post. Read "Pati, Patni and Post: It's Sudha Pillai vs. G K Pillai for next cabinet secretary" dated May 11, 2009. b) Rakesh Kumar Gupta, a J&K cadre IAS has been appointed to the newly created post of additional secretary (joint secretary level) in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), in the pay band of Rs 37400-67000 (PB-4) plus grade pay of Rs 10000, for the balance period of his Central deputation tenure of five years upto February 15, 2011 or until further orders.