This year Rajiv Mehrishi appointed as home secretary

 This year Rajiv Mehrishi appointed as home secretary 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appointed Rajiv Mehrishi as the home secretary for a two year term after incumbent LC Goyal put in his papers.

LC Goyal was brought in as home secretary in February this year after Anil Goswami was unceremoniously shown the door for trying to protect politician Matang Sinh from arrest.

On record, Goswami too had resigned on his own. Goyal had then been appointed on a 2 year term. But he did not survive as long.

The order which was issued on the PM’s direction, and not by the committee of the cabinet, indicates the change of guard could be a last minute move. At least on paper.

Apart from the Prime Minister, the two member ACC comprises home minister Rajnath Singh.

An official statement said the Prime Minister had approved the appointment of Rajiv Mehrishi, IAS (RJ:1978) Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance as Home Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs for a period of two years with effect from 31.08.2015.

Narendra Modi has also approved the request of Shri L.C. Goyal, IAS (KL:1979) seeking voluntary retirement from government service due to personal reasons with immediate effect, the statement said.

Mehrishi had been brought to the capital as finance secretary last year and was widely considered to be in the running for the cabinet secretary’s post. He had, however, missed the opportunity when PK Sinha was upgraded.