Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao strongly defends GK Pillai on ISI remark

INDIA’s home secretary GK Pillai’s remark on ISI’s role in Mumbai attack was strongly defended by foreign secretary Nirupama Rao, a 1973 batch IFS saying that it was “perfectly within his rights” to state the Indian position. Mr Pillai, a 1972 batch Kerala cadre IAS, came under a controversy after Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pillai was making negative comments and even equated him with Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed. And all that took place in a press conference when India’s foreign minister SM Krishna was present there, but did not react to Qureshi’s attack on Pillai.
Back in India, minister Krishna supported Pillai. Also, Ms Rao said there were a “huge number” of journalists in the controversy and in that noise EAM (external affairs minister) did not react.

Both the Congress and the BJP have condemned Qureshi’s remarks on home secretary Pillai. Significantly, Pillai went to Pakistan only last month and held secretary level talks with his Pakistani counterpart.

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Action and Appointments

a) The competent authority has approved that AC Padhi, CMD, NSFDC may be allowed to hold additional charge of the post of CMD, NHFDC in addition to his own charge for a period of three months with effect from May 14, 2010.

b) The ACC has approved the extension of tenure of Sanjay Sinha, a 1978 batch Manipur-Tripura cadre IPS as minister (personnel and community affairs) in the embassy of India, Washington for a period beyond June 30, 2010 till his successor is appointed.

c) DD Padsalikar, a 1982 batch Maharashtra cadre IPS has been appointed as minister (personnel and community affairs) in the embassy of India, Washington (joint secretary level).

d) Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, a 1990 batch Manipur-Tripura cadre IAS, presently working as director in the department of rural development has been promoted to the rank of joint secretary in the same department.

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Gateman honoured for averting a rail accident

K Madhu, a newly recruited gateman was honoured by M.S Jayanth, General Manager, South Central Railway for exhibiting his presence of mind and alertness to avert a major rail disaster near Secunderabad on July 15, 2010. The General Manager presented an award of Rs 5000 to the employee.