Vivek Rae, a 1978 batch IAS officer, will succeed G.C. Chaturvedi as Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, on the latter’s retirement on January 31.
Rae, at present Secretary in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, emerged a surprise candidate for the post. An official communiqué on Wednesday confirmed approval of Rae's appointment by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
His appointment is definitely an upward movement for him, as the post of Secretary Petroleum & Natural Gas is keenly watched by not only those within but outside the Government, sources said.
In race for the top position were contenders like Sudhir Bhargava, Special Secretary in the Ministry; Jawed Usmani, Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh; P.K. Sinha, Shipping Secretary; Anoop Mishra, who was the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh before he was replaced by Usmai; as well as Corporate Affairs Secretary Naved Masood.
Besides Rae, some of the other appointments that were approved include that of Dalip Singh, a 1982 batch IAS, as Additional Secretary, Ministry of Steel, on in-situ basis with effect from December 10, 2012, by temporarily upgrading the post held by the officer.
The statement also said that ACC has approved appointment of Alok Sheel, IAS of 1982 batch, as Secretary, Economic Advisory Council to the PM, in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary, on in-situ basis, by temporarily upgrading the post held by the officer.
ACC has also approved appointment of Leena Nair, a 1982 batch IAS, as Chairperson, MPEDA, Department of Commerce, in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary, on in-situ basis, by temporarily upgrading the post held by the officer.