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R V Shahi appointed new power secretary

The government on Monday appointed R V Shahi, currently chairman and managing director of the private power utility BSES Limited, as secretary in the ministry of power.

"The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shahi as power secretary," an official statement said, adding that terms and conditions of his appointment would be finalised by the Ministry of Power in consultation with the Department of Personnel and Training.

This is for the first time that chief of a private corporate house has become the power secretary.

Union Power Minister Suresh Prabhu had suggested appointment of a technocrat in view of the sector involving various issues.

Subsequently, the matter was forwarded to the search committee headed by Cabinet Secretary T R Prasad.

Besides Shahi, about half a dozen names were considered by the committee, including CMDs of central power public sector units like National Thermal Power Corporation, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, Power Grid Corporation and Power Finance Corporation.

According to industry analysts, Shahi's appointment as secretary from non-IAS cadre the signalled government's resolve towards power sector reforms.

According to sources, NTPC chief C P Jain was the candidate in reserve.

Power Secretary's post fell vacant after Ashok Basu retired on March 31, 2002. Basu has been appointed the Chairman of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission.

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