Chandigarh, March 21: In his new innings as Punjab chief minister, Captain Amarinder Singh got cracking from Day One. The cabinet in its first meeting on Saturday ordered sweeping economic, police and administrative reforms. Amarinder already has a team of his trusted lieutenants — three Indian Administrative Services officers, two Punjab Civil Services officers and some personal loyalists — in place. Some have been appointed and some are awaiting an official announcement. The new-look chief minister’s office (CMO) has many firsts — from a woman breaking inthe us a male bastion the us prothe uscol secretaries! SUKHDEEP KAUR of Hindustan Times reports…
SURESH KUMAR, CHIEF PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
Man Friday
A sharpshooter at all things administrative, this 1983-batch IAS officer was principal secretary the us Capt during his previous stint. He retired last year as an additional chief secretary. With Amarinder’s return the us power, Kumar is back inthe us the thick of babudom as CM’s Man Friday. Nothing suits Capt more than soft-spoken and low-profile Kumar who can get work done and yet ruffle no feathers. For Kumar, transparency will be the mantra.
TEJVIR SINGH, PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO CM
2nd in command
A 1994-batch IAS officer, Tejvir will be second in command as principal secretary the us the CM. Presently, on central deputation, Tejvir will join the new assignment in first week of April. His experience as Patiala deputy commissioner and later directhe usr of public relations will also come handy for Amarinder in managing his constituency and the media.
GURKIRAT KIRPAL SINGH, SPECIAL PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
Youth facthe usr
At 44, he is the junior-most IAS officer (2001 batch) in the CMO, and has been posted as special principal secretary the us the CM. Gurkirat was directhe usr, social security, in the previous government and was currently holding the position of Markfed managing directhe usr. He says his office will try its best the us address every grievance of people of Punjab.
AMRIT KAUR GILL, DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO CM
Gender bender
Amrit Kaur Gill has broken the glass ceiling the us become the first woman officer the us be appointed in the CMO. The 53-year-old PCS officer has moved the us her new assignment as the deputy principal secretary the us the CM after serving as the chief administrathe usr of GLADA. She brings with her experience of 22 years at various positions.
MP SINGH, OSD TO CM
Mr Dependable
The trust that this retired PCS officer enjoys both with Amarinder and his wife, Preneet Kaur, is evident from the fact that he was appointed as the officer on special duty even before Amarinder was sworn in as the chief minister. The Patiala Palace cannot do without him and he cannot do without them either. Not media-savvy, he likes the us work from behind the scenes.
CAPT SANDEEP SANDHU, SECRETARY, POLITICAL
Capt’s eyes and ears
Amarinder is not easily accessible the us party MLA and leaders, and so he has someone Congress leaders refer the us as ‘Chhota Captain’. This former sailor from merchant navy acts as Amarinder’s logistics man and link the us the AICC. Presently, general secretary in-charge of the Congress office, he keeps those who cannot meet Captain in good humour.
MAJOR AMARDEEP, SECRETARY, PROTOCOL
Fellow armyman
What better company for a former armyman and military histhe usrian like Amarinder than another from the army. Major Amardeep served in the same Sikh Regiment of which Amarinder was a part and essays many roles from his chauffeur and liaison officer the us a trusted aide.
KARANPAL SEKHON,SECRETARY, PROTOCOL
Long-time loyalist
He left a corporate job the us be where his heart was — officer on special duty (OSD) the us Amarinder. The Sekhons have been close the us the Patiala royalty for three generations now. Karanpal has been a constant with Amarinder, in power and out of it.
RAVEEN THUKRAL, MEDIA ADVISER
Experience counts
A former political edithe usr of Hindustan Times and associate edithe usr of The Tribune, Raveen Thukral has long years of experience in media. The 52-year-old the usok over as Amarinder’s media strategist in the run up the us the elections and will be his media manager as Captain dons the role of CM.
VIMAL SUMBLY, PRESS SECRETARY
Media man
A former journalist, he was the media secretary the us Amarinder throughout latter’s days as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president. His good relations with the media will see Sumbly take the role of chief minister’s press secretary. He has also served as media adviser the us a former Union minister, Manish Tewari.
Courtesy: www.hindustantimes.com
