Simanchala Dash appointed PS to FM

He has worked as private secretary to Jaitley when he was Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha

Senior IRS officer Simanchala Dash has been appointed as Private Secretary to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley by relaxing some conditions.

Dash, a 1988 batch Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax cadre) officer, has been appointed at the level of Director "in relaxation of the cooling off requirement as well as the ceiling of five years prescribed for working as private secretary in the entire career of an officer as a special case," said an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

Dash has worked as private secretary to Jaitley when he was Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

The DoPT has recently clarified that PS to former Leaders of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha can be appointed in the personal staff of the ministers.