Usually the cabinet secretary reads out the agenda number and the gist of the topic at the cabinet meeting ahead of the deliberations. On Thursday, when agenda number four came up before the cabinet, incumbent KM Chandrasekhar kept quiet even though it was not a conflict of interests -- as a courtesy.
Chavan then sought the cabinet's approval for a fixed tenure of four years to the cabinet secretary. There was no dissent even though the floor was open for a few seconds The prime minister nodded his approval, and the item was passed.
