Guv seeks new panel of secretary nominees

Thiruvananthapuram: In an unexpected turn of events, the government has prepared a fresh panel from which the secretary to the Governor would be selected. Additional chief secretary (finance and higher education) K M Abraham, who was in the earlier panel, has been excluded this time. It is learnt that he will continue in his current post.
The new panel, it is reliably learnt, consists of Devendra Kumar Dodhawat a 1993 batch IAS officer and Rani George, from the 1996 batch.While Dodhawat is currently the secretary of food and civil supplies department, George is the secretary of culture and information and public relations departments.
The earlier panel had consisted of B Ashok and Raju Narayanaswamy apart from Abraham who was considered the frontrunner to the post. The final decision was expected this week. But according to sources, governor P Sathasivam had insisted not to seek the services of Abraham, who is in charge of two major departments, including finance, and is also one of the senior most bureaucrats available in the state.
Abraham had earlier said that he was keen on taking up the assignment due to personal reasons, if offered. He said that he has no role in the recommendation or selection process. "It is the governor's prerogative to decide whom he wants in the post," he said.
The post had become vacant after A Ajith Kumar, who was serving as secretary to the governor, was appointed as the chairman of rubber board in Kottayam, on central deputation.
Government sources said that if Abraham is moved out of finance and higher education for being appointed as the secretary to the governor, the government would be forced to scramble around for finding a suitable senior hand to handle the departments.
Also, a major reshuffle of top bureaucrats is expected in May, after the new government takes charge on May 21.