Breaking tradition?

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Feb 21 : The focus in recent gubernatorial appointments has inevitably been on M.K. Narayanan’s move to Kolkata. But smart observers point out that this is not the only "controversial" appointment of governors. The announcement of former defence

secretary and deputy national security adviser Shekhar Dutt as governor of Chhattisgarh continues to raise eyebrows in certain quarters. Apparently, in naming Mr Dutt the government has flouted a long-held convention of not appointing governors who hail from the state or have otherwise served the state as bureaucrats.

The rationale is self-explanatory, since a governor is an "objective" figure and meant to rise above the tug-and-pull of local politics. Mr Dutt, however, it is being pointed out, is an Indian Administrative Service officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre (when Chhattisgarh was still part of the state) and has close connections in the state he is going to head. But those who deny any snafus or any hidden hand of power thanks to his family connections, insist that it is this very familiarity with Chhattisgarh that may prove useful in his new role. What may have swung opinion in favour of Mr Dutt and allowed ducking the convention could also perhaps be his long experience in security matters, which will definitely be useful in the Naxal-hit state. But how and why this cherry was picked still is a matter that needs sorting out.

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Search for a chief

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is perhaps the busiest sarkari organisation right now, and not just with highway assignments. The authority is undergoing a major reorganisation. Interestingly there are several contenders for the NHAI chief’s job, including present chairman Brijeshwar Singh, and roads ministry secretary Brahm Dutt, even though both are retiring this year. Oddly, Mr Dutt is a member of the very search committee which will short-list the eligible candidates. But few in the ministry seem to be worried about this obvious "conflict of interest".

According to sources, the heightened interest in the NHAI’s chief position is due to the revised eligibility rules. Although the ministry stipulates applicants should have served at least three years at secretary level or principal secretary in the state government, the Cabinet’s decision to raise the retirement age of the post from 62 to 65 years has encouraged a few babus on the brink of retirement to apply. Among these are ex-member of NHAI, K.S. Money, Railway Board chairman, S.S. Khurana, director-general of foreign trade, R.S. Gujral, and member, engineering, Railway Board, Rakesh Chopra, and secretary of small and medium enterprises ministry, Dinesh Rai.

Meanwhile, babu-watchers are hoping that the new chief will enjoy a long tenure, considering that NHAI has seen five chiefs revolve through the door in four years!

By Dilip Cherian