Padma awards nomination rush at North Bloc

Even as speculation is rife over the nominees to succeed the RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, the corridors in the Finance Ministry are abuzz with another nomination race.

Bureaucrats are scrambling to meet the Padma Awards nominees deadline of September 15.

"Right now recommendations are being sought from the Junior Ministers to give recommendations", a senior official told India Today

Each Union Cabinet minister can nominate people from art, literature, education, sports, medicine, social work, public affairs, civil service, trade, science and engineering.

Sources have told India Today a top filmmaker who has graduated from FTII is in the race to be nominated by the Finance Ministry.

Interestingly, Padma Awards nomination rules were tweaked earlier this May to make the process more transparent. With emphasis on e-governance, the Modi Government has invited Padma Awards nominees through an online portal.

The idea is to ensure transparency during the selection process. But the bureaucracy used to dealing with direct letters of recommendation, the online system is proving to be a challenge.

"Since its first time, it's a bit confusing. Earlier they would send a letter attached with the person's name to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Now we need to first create an online account for each Minister, then type out a details of the candidate of their choice. Then get it checked from the seniors, its quite a drill", said a senior official.

While even citizens can nominate their favourites this year, the scheme is also open to artists to files their own nomination. The selection committee headed by Cabinet secretary with Home Secretary and Secretary to the President alongwith eminent persons. The final decision rests with the Prime Minister and the President who review the recommendations.