Singh to become ministry JS exploration
If you believe the oil ministry grapevine, joint secretary exploration Aramane Giridhar, 49, might soon swap roles with joint secretary international co-operation Prashant Kumar Singh, 43.
Rumour has it oil minister Veerappa Moily feels Giridhar was brought in by former oil minister Jaipal Reddy, and wants to give him the less important international cooperation brief. “Moily feels Giridhar is Reddy’s man,” says a ministry official.
Reddy was known to take on Reliance by opposing all its proposals. “Singh is an honest officer so won’t favour anyone,” we hear.
“But he won’t unnecessarily oppose Reliance either.” Giridhar joined the ministry on January 12 last year in the low profile marketing division but moved to the high-profile exploration division on February 6.
Singh was promoted to JS international co-operation on December 12 replacing Sanjay Sudhir, 42, an Indian Foreign Service official who returned to the foreign ministry.