P V Bhide tipped to be new revenue secretary

Disinvestment Secretary P V Bhide, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1973 batch, is likely to be appointed the new Union revenue secretary in the finance ministry.

A final decision on this is expected by the end of this month.

At present, Economic Affairs Secretary D Subbarao holds additional charge of the revenue department, following former incumbent K M Chandrasekhar's recent appointment as cabinet secretary.

Bhide, 57, has been on central deputation since July 31, 2002, and served as joint secretary, disinvestment, before being appointed special secretary in the Union home ministry.

An Andhra Pradesh cadre officer, Bhide was appointed to his present position in February this year.

Another finance ministry appointment expected is that of the chief economic adviser. Incumbent Ashok Lahiri is widely tipped to be moving to Asian Development Bank (ADB) as executive director representing India.

Lahiri will replace IAS officer Ashok Saikia, whose three-year tenure at the bank is coming to an end. Saikia, a 1971 batch officer of the Assam cadre, will retire at the end of this year.