Meet the IAS-officer who will be Amit Shah's private secretary
What's the story
There have been enough indications to prove Union Home Minister Amit Shah will enjoy the maximum clout in the second term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Naturally, political aficionados have their eyes set on Shah's A-team. On Friday, a government order revealed IAS officer Saket Kumar has been appointed as private secretary to Shah. Kumar will be Shah's top aide.
Here's more on him.
Officer
Kumar is a 2009-batch IAS officer
Kumar is a 2009-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Bihar cadre. His appointment was approved until July 2023.
Notably, Kumar has experience of working in ministries. In 2018, he was appointed as private secretary to Manoj Sinha, who was MoS (Independent charge) for Communications and MoS Railways at the time.
Obviously, being Shah's closest personnel is a promotion for Kumar.
Irani
Meanwhile, Smriti Irani got 2002-batch officer as PS
Separately, the government appointed M Imkongla Jamir as personal secretary to Textile and WCD Minister Smriti Irani.
Jamir, who is a 2002-batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre, was appointed as PS to Irani in 2015 when she was HRD minister.
Since an IAS officer is appointed as PS to a minister for only five years, Jamir's tenure will end on July 22, 2020.
Security
Separately, Delhi police has increased Shah's security
On a related note, Shah's security has been beefed up by the Delhi police, which reports to the Union Home Minister.
Some 50 security officials including SWAT teams have been deployed outside Shah's 11 Akbar Road residence.
Shah is also expected to move in into the residence of late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A senior official said security arrangements have been made accordingly.
Security
Shah enjoys the highest level of security
The official said Shah might shift to his new residence within two weeks. He already enjoys Z+ security, the highest level of security accorded to anyone. Apart from this, paramilitary forces and nearly 100 policemen guard him round the clock.
The officer said Shah will soon decide if Black Cat commandos should be added to his security cover.
Information
Notably, Delhi police is also providing security to Rajnath Singh
Rajnath Singh, who was Home Minister in PM Modi's last tenure, and was given Defense Ministry in the latest term, will be given security by Delhi police till Army takes over his security. Singh's residence is currently guarded by paramilitary forces.