Baalu bypasses Cabinet

T R Baalu’s Road Transport Ministry chose the political frenzy to override the Cabinet. Four days after the poll dates were announced,“the competent authority” in the department re-designated the post of Joint Secretary (Public Private Partnership) to JS (Highways) even though the former was created with the Cabinet’s approval last May and could be changed only with its consent. Highways division does not require a JS as it is headed by Director General Road Development of Special Secretary rank and the wing is manned by officers from Central Engineering Services. The rationale for JS (Highways) was provided by keeping the DGRD post vacant since last November.