Congress leader Rashid Alvi questions Centre over amending law in respect to Nripendra Mishra's appointment

Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Monday questioned the need to change a law in order to give preference to one person in connection with the appointment of Nripendra Mishra as principal secretary to the prime minister. "Prime minister has the right to select his principal secretary. But why is that one person so important? How can law be changed for one person? This creates a suspicion in the minds of the people," Alvi said.

The government had on Friday introduced the Bill in the Lok Sabha amidst opposition to replace an ordinance issued on May 28 to change a clause in the TRAI Act which would have prevented Mishra from taking up the government post after retirement. Misra, joined the PMO the same day the ordinance was promulgated and the bill has been brought to give his appointment the requisite legal backing.

A 1967 batch Indian Administrative Service officer from Uttar Pradesh cadre, Mishra has served in many departments, including TRAI as its Chairman in 2006.