Banking On: Who is 1976 batch IAS Shashi Kant Sharma?

AMID major bureaucratic reshuffle in the ministry of finance ahead of this year’s Union Budget, Shashi Kant Sharma, a 1976 batch Bihar cadre IAS, took over as the new secretary in the department of financial services on Wednesday. Sharma, who was till recently a secretary in the department of information technology, is replacing his batch-mate R Gopalan who in turn was virtually elevated as secretary of a relatively important department, DEA (department of economic affairs). Sharma has over one and half years left for retirement.

Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Sharma began his career as a sub-divisional officer at Banka way back in July, 1978 before taking up various key responsibilities both in state and the Centre. In early 1980s, he had served as Managing Director of Bokaro Industrial Aread Development and then as district magistrate of Bhagalpur. One of his high points of his career in his home cadre included his posting as collector and district magistrate of Patna district.

A post graduate in political science and MSc in administrative science and development problem from the University of York (UK), Sharma moved to the Centre first as a director in the department of youth affairs and sports in 1992, and later as joint secretary in the defence ministry where he was later promoted as additional secretary. Sharma also served as additional secretary in the department of administrative reforms and public grievances.

What transpires in EC’s meeting with Sudhir Chandra on use of money power in elections?

The Election Commission on Wednesday had a meeting with CBDT chairman Sudhir Chandra to update measures taken by Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to control the use of money power in elections in the five states of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. The Commission expressed satisfaction over the performance of the officers of Income Tax department during Bihar election and asked the chairman, CBDT to carry forward such exercises during the polls in the five states, said an official release issued by Election Commission. I-T department will play a key role in surveillance in airports, major hotels, railway stations, financial brokers and hawala operators during elections in addition to monitoring suspicious cash withdrawal from the banks. The Commission has asked the I-T department to verify the assets declared in the affidavits by the candidates and to send report to the Commission.