B K Chaturvedi gets one-year extension

New Delhi, May 30 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has decided to give extension by one year to Cabinet Secretary B K Chaturvedi whose term is to expire on June 30.

The official statement from the PMO came today, ending speculation that five senior IAS officers from the 1968 and 69 batches were in the race for the top bureaucratic post.

Sources said the government has decided to make an exception in the case of Mr Chaturvedi taking into consideration his vast administrative experience and the continuity factor.

During the NDA regime, the government had amended the rules to give a two-year tenure to the Cabinet Secretary. A fixed two-year term has also been given to the Chiefs of Intelligence Bureau and RAW and the Home Secretary.

At least five senior IAS officers from the 1968 and 1969 batches were said to be in the race for the Cabinet Secretary's post. They included Ms Reva Nayyar, Secretary, Women and Child Development, Mr P K Hota, Secretary, Health, and Mr Adarsh Kishore, Secretary, Finance.

Dr Singh himself had interviewed Mr Chaturvedi for appointment as Cabinet Secretary two years ago.

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