Chaturvedi new Cabinet secretary

The government appointed petroleum secretary BK Chaturvedi as the new cabinet secretary to replace Kamal Pande, whose tenure has been cut short by five months.

Chaturvedi, a 1966 batch Indian Administrative Service officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been given a two-year term and is expected to assume office on Monday. Pande, sources said, would superannuate with immediate effect.

An official release said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met several candidates in the secretary rank before selecting Chaturvedi for the post. Telecom Secretary Nripendra Misra and Secretary Planning Commission RR Shah, were the other contenders for the top post.

Speaking to reporters, Chaturvedi said his first priority would be to improve the quality of governance and restore the lost glory of the civil services.

"The biggest challenge is that in the given structure today, question marks are being raised on the values, fairness, impartiality and integrity of civil servants. The excellence has to be restored," he said.

"I am very happy with this appointment. It is a dream of every civil servant to reach the highest post and I am happy that I have got it," said Chaturvedi, who received the news of his appointment in the morning.

On the United Progressive Alliance's agenda, the cabinet secretary-designate said that he would see how best the common minimum programme could be implemented effectively.