Has 3G auction’s windfall helped Vijayalakshmy K Gupta get defence finance secretary’s post?

IT'S not an April Fool! Vijayalakshmy K Gupta, a 1974 batch IDAS officer, took over as secretary (defence finance) on April 1 in place of Nita Kapoor. Ms Gupta was Member (Finance) in the Telecom Commission till recently.

Mrs Gupta’s role in designing the 3G auction is believed to be the key reason for her elevation to this key post. Mrs Gupta headed the Inter-Ministerial committee that finalized the design of the auction of 3G Spectrum in May, 2010, which in turn yielded revenue of more than Rs 1.06 lakh crore to the public exchequer far more than the government’s internal estimates.

A post graduate in political science and public administration from Bombay University, Ms Gupta was a recipient of gold medal for her academic excellence. Last year, he completed her doctorate in women’s human rights. She has held several key assignments including additional secretary in ministry of women and child development and additional financial advisor in the ministry of defence.

From September 2005 to November 2008, Ms Gupta also served as the financial advisor to the Commonwealth Games 2010 Organizing Committee, responsible for budget formulation, expenditure control, financial reforms, manpower planning and risk management among others.

Sudha Pillai’s solo art show on April 3

Come Sunday, Sudha Pillai, a 1972 batch retired IAS and Member Secretary of Planning Commission, will present her solo art show titled “Joy of Living”. Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit will be the Guest of Honour for the special show to be held at 26, Prithviraj Road in New Delhi. Mrs Pillai who is wife of home secretary GK Pillai, is known for her figurative and abstract paintings and her expressive portraits of women.