GUJARAT BABUS RULE!

The elevation of Gujarat IPS officer Y.C. Modi as head of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has again highlighted that Gujarat cadre officers seem to rule the babu corridors. Mr Modi will join his colleagues Rakesh Asthana, who was made acting director of the CBI last year, and A.K. Patnaik, who is the CEO of the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID).

The cop will now be part of a select group of officials in Delhi who worked with Mr Modi when he was chief minister of Gujarat, and have received key posts in the Central government since 2014.

Sources say that Y.C. Modi’s appointment is also being watched with interest, as it is a key post when it comes to setting the narrative on crucial terror investigations. Former NIA chief Sharad Kumar received two extensions from the Modi government, and under his tenure several important investigations were conducted by the agency.

Prior to this, Gujarat-cadre IAS officer and former chief secretary of the state Achal Kumar Jyoti was appointed Chief Election Commissioner of India in July 2017. Other officers from Gujarat who made it big at the Centre include revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia, power secretary P.K. Pujari, commerce secretary Rita Teotia, corporate affairs secretary Tapan Rai and joint secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office Arvind Kumar Sharma.