Eyes on World Bank post

Everybody knows how coveted posts are filled in the government, but the Department of Personnel and Training has to still complete all the formalities. It is learnt that the Government of India is looking for an Advisor to World Bank Executive Director Mukesh N Prasad. DoPT has issued a circular to State chief secretaries and Union secretaries of the cadre controlling ministries to nominate names of suitable officers of deputy secretary or director ranks. DPS Sandhu, an Indian Railway Traffic Service officer of 1987 batch is the outgoing officer. Sandhu used to earlier work in the Prime Minister’s Office. Another Advisor in the World Bank, Anuradha Thakur, an IAS officer of 1994 batch of Himachal cadre, is on her way back after completing her term in March 2014. Before joining the World Bank, she served as Deputy Secretary and Director in the Department of Economic Affairs. Two current senior advisors to the ED in the Bank are Manoj Pant, former private secretary to ex-Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and former PMO official LK Atheeq. Whereas Pant assists Prasad on India, Atheeq helps him on Sri Lanka matters. Sandhu assists on issues related to Bhutan. The top appointments of the World Bank remain within the four walls of the Finance Ministry but to appear fair and transparent, the DoPT has to issue the circular. Still, if one believes there is a genuine selection process in the Ministry, one must apply if he/she is under 54 years of age and has completed two years under central staffing system and has experience to show in areas of infrastructure development, international trade, public finance and externally aided projects. Good luck!