Cabinet secretary contender PJ Thomas sworn in as CVC; what’s in store for M Ramachandran?

WITH Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s firm backing, telecom secretary PJ Thomas was sworn in as 14th Central Vigilance Commissioner by the President of India in a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday despite BJP’s serious objection to his appointment alleging he has a tainted background. The BJP leaders boycotted the ceremony which was attended by Vice-President of India, Prime Minister, home minister, law minister and minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions.

A 1973 batch Kerala cadre IAS, Thomas was instrumental in successful 3G auctions that gave the government a windfall of whopping Rs 67,000 cr. He was also a serious contender for cabinet secretary’s post in May this year when incumbent KM Chandrasekhar was given the second extension marring prospects of Thomas and a few other senior officers including then urban development secretary M Ramachandran and finance secretary Ashok Chawla. It’s believed that PM promised all these contenders important post-retirement government assignments.

With Thomas getting his due with the CVC’s post, it remains to be seen what PM has to offer to Ramachandran. If sources in corridor are to be believed, Ramachandran could be engaged either in National Disaster Management Authority where all Members hold the rank of a minister of state, or even made Delhi metro chief when 78-year-old E Sreedharan retires after the Commonwealth Games. The announcement of the next Delhi Metro chief could come at the end of September, or beginning of October.

For Thomas, who holds a master’s degree in physics and economics, post-mortem of the allegations related to the Commonwealth Games could be the immediate priority.

Check out: Profile of PJ Thomas

List of 25 officers appointed as JS (in situ)