Sanghi’s doldrums

Chetan Bhushan Sanghi, a 1988-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre and Chief Secretary of Puducherry, has been transferred as Joint Secretary, Women and Child Welfare. Sources disclose that Sanghi is stressed with the transfer in the Central Government as this post is routine in nature. He wants to get the transfer cancelled by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). As per the rules, if he does not join he will be debarred from further postings. Chief Minister of Puducherry N Rangaswamy has also written to DoPT, seeking to retain Sanghi for some more time but the DoPT is not amused. The logic given to DoPT is that when KK Sharma, a 1983-batch IAS officer was posted as Additional Secretary in Women and Child Welfare, his posting was cancelled and he was posted instead as Chief Secretary, Goa. But DoPT is in no mood to oblige Sanghi. If Sanghi does not join the designated office and is debarred from future postings, he will face serious problems in his career. There is another twist to this story: other officers are waiting for Sanghi to join as JS. One prominent lady officer in the Delhi government is eager to take his position as Chief Secretary, Puducherry, as soon as Sanghi demits office. Sources disclose that a lady officer, with considerable influence, sitting on Raisina Hill, is eager to help the female candidate. We will just have to wait for the DoPT order and see if it bails Sanghi out or not.