New ministers and their would-be working relations with secretaries, a snapshot

Newly inducted ministers pose for a photo after the swearing-in

A NUMBER of Union secretaries to government of India will have new bosses, from Monday. After the massive rejig of Manmohan Singh’s cabinet, many a minister will drive down to new Bhawans today, and top bureaucrats are getting ready to brief their new chiefs. Here is a snapshot of what does each of the big-ticket ministerial changes means for top Indian bureaucrats…
Ranjan Mathai, Foreign Secretary, (IFS, 1974 batch): Ex-MEA chief SM Krishna was an easy man to handle. Mathai’s independence could be considerably curbed under the new external affairs minister Salman Khurshid. Only plus point through will be, Khurshid is unlikely to do any serious faux pas in mega international meets.
GC Chaturvedi, Petroleum Secretary, (IAS, 1977 batch): For any babu, S Jaipal Reddy is a dream minister. Chaturvedi will miss Reddy for sure. New petroleum minister M Veerappa Moily is a tough bet. Yet as a minister Moily has always maintained cordial relations with top bureaucrats.
P Uma Shankar, Power Secretary, (IAS, 1976 batch): After working under Sushil Kumar Shinde and M Veerappa Moily, secretary Shankar will work under a young minister --- 41-year-old Jyotiraditya Scindia. Scindia often prepares “to do list”, and will ask Shankar status reports at regular intervals.
Naved Masood, Secretary Corporate Affairs (IAS, 1977 batch): Will now report to 35-year-old Sachin Pilot. Significantly, Pilot was born in 1977, the year Masood joined IAS. But Pilot is suave, sophisticated, and most importantly very reasonable in each official matter.
Smt. Sangita Gairola, Culture Secretary, (IAS, 1977 batch): Secretary Gairola is likely to work well with her new boss --- 68-year-old Smt Chandresh Kumari Katoch. Mrs Katoch enjoys looking after animals, and horse riding is her private passion.
Uday K Verma, I&B Secretary, (IAS, 1976 batch): Manish Tewari, new minister, is articulate and has an eye for details. But, he is first timer as a minister. Mr minister will have to bank on experienced Verma.
Parvez Dewan, Tourism Secretary, (IAS, 1977 batch): Dewan had earlier experiences in tourism ministry. But as a secretary, he is a new comer. Must sit down with actor-turned politician K Chiranjeevi for Indian Tourism 2.0