The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet decided to set a ceiling for the number of years officials can work on the personal staff of ministers. According to the new rule a ceiling of 10 years has been prescribed beyond which an official may not be permitted to be appointed in the personal staff of ministers, irrespective of level. This ceiling would be adhered to while processing cases for appointment of All India Service officers as personal secretary or officer on special duty (OSD).

A spate of babu heads will roll but largely those in minor services but with major loyalties to mantris who matter. There are dozens of them who currently control mantris, but of course it helps that the UPA in its current avatar has only been around for six years. But the grand total of 10 at any period of time is bound to become a hindrance for the senior-most of ministers and their retinue.

Though nobody is saying anything directly, but it looks like one of the possible targets of this draconian measure is Omita Paul. Currently she is on the personal staff of the most senior of ministers, Pranab babu. If this law is indeed enforced, then she only has one option which is to become an advisor to the Finance Ministry itself. Should be smooth and easy. Once dada decides, he usually gets his way.

Better late than never

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said there will now be a separate department dedicated to wildlife and forests and a distinct one for environment — under the Ministry of Environment and Forests. As of now the wildlife division is one of the many divisions within the Environment Ministry and is headed by Environment Secretary Vijai Sharma. The decision probably comes in the wake of the current crisis where tigers in reserves like Panna and Ranthambore are going extinct. There is now a new policy for wetlands in the country and a plan to stop mining in protected areas on the agenda. More jobs for the jungle boys too?

Perform or perish

K.P. Raghuvanshi’s exit as head of Maharashtra’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has naturally led to a shake up in Mumbai Police. He has been replaced by Rakesh Maria, Joint Commissioner, Crime. The ousted ATS chief, a 1980 batch IPS officer, will meanwhile cool his heels as ADGP law and order. Joint Police Commissioner for law and order, Himanshu Roy is likely to replace Maria.

So even as Maria settles down to his new assignment, the message from Delhi is unambiguous: perform or perish. Even more so, after the rude wake-up call from the Maoists in Dantewada.