Brijesh Kumar likely to head DIT

NEW DELHI: Even as the Department of Information Technology (DIT) secretary KK Jaswal is retiring on 31st October 2004, the government has decided to bring in Uttar Pradesh revenue board, Chairman, Brijesh Kumar to take over the hot seat.

Kumar, who hold a Post Graduate degree in Physics and Economics, belongs to the 1968 batch of IAS officers from Uttar Pradesh. He has served as Chairman and CEO, Greater Noida Authority, Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. Kumar is likely to continue as secretary IT till 31st March 2006. He will be joining DIT as of 1st November 2004. Jaswal is being appointed as Member Secretary, National Commission on Infrastructure in Unorganised and Informal Sector.

Interestingly, while preparation for Jaswal's farewell was on in full swing for 3 PM in the day, the department was abuzz with news of DIT, Additional Secretary, S Lakshminarayanan taking over. However, soon after the farewell sources in the DIT informed that it would be Kumar, instead. While no official statement was issued by the DIT, the outgoing secretary Jaswal confirmed the appointment of Kumar.

All this, while a certain section of the department, primarily S&T officers, were busy debating whether they should send a memorandum to the PMO demanding that generalist IAS officers should not head the key technical decision-making groups within the department.

According to a senior DIT official, the issue concerns the selection of heads for technology and scientific department and DIT. However, while majority of the S&T officer's association (STOA) members were of the opinion that the policies and decision-making in departments like DIT should be led by domain experts and trained specialist and not generalist IAS officers, the members decided not to go ahead with the plan fearing backlash. In fact, when contacted by CyberMedia News senior STOA office bearers even refused to comment on the issue.

Sources suggest that certain quarter in the DIT even feel that generalist IAS officer should not head key technical decision-making groups as it impacts the dynamism and the scientific ambience and the effectiveness of the highly qualified S&T officers within the department. A certain section of S&T officers also feel that it adversely impacts the effectiveness of various scientific units like CDAC, Media Lab Asia, SCL and SAMEER.

It may be recalled that the erstwhile Department of Electronics, was created as per the Homi Bhabha/Vikram Sarabhai committee reports in 1971 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, with the responsibility for ensuring scientific thrust in the electronics (now IT) policies, research and development and industry promotion.

It is also worthwhile to mention that when the S&T officers were converted from contract to permanent employees, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had mentioned in the concerned file, that certain reforms were necessary in the DoE. This according to her was essential to maintain the scientific nature and the technical expertise necessary for technology projects.

Originally headed by the eminent TIFR head, Prof MKG Menon, this department was lead by S&T professional until 1989. Since then, however, this department has been headed by so called 'generalist members of the administrative service' and the appointment of Kumar is likely to add fire to the same debate-though a lot covertly.