Don't appoint senior officers as private secys: PM to Cabinet

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed his displeasure about newly inducted Union ministers appointing senior government officials as their personal secretaries.

In a letter to all Union ministers, Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar has urged them against appointing senior government officers as their secretary or officer on special duty (OSD). Rediff.com is in possession of the letter from the Cabinet Secretary. Click here to read the letter.

In a recent instance, an Union minister from Tamil Nadu wanted an officer of the Deputy Inspector General rank to serve as his personal staff, as the DIG-level officer also belonged to the TN cadre and was well acquainted with the minister.

But Dr Singh rejected the minister's request, as a DIG-rank official is expected to handle posts requiring law and order management, not such bureaucratic duties.

In the letter written to Union ministers, Chandrasekhar has pointed out that Joint Secretary level officers are not entitled for appointment in any capacity in the offices of Cabinet ministers.