VS Pandey, joint secretary in the human resources development ministry, is likely to be moved out and put on compulsory wait. Pandey has been in the eye of a storm following the unilateral IIM fee cut order signed by him.
In fact, one of the first requests the human resources development ministry made to the ministry of personnel and training after Arjun Singh took over, was to shift Pandey out. Pandey, an Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer, is on deputation to the Centre and has another eight months to go before he reverts to his state.
Ministry sources said the decision would be formally announced anytime now. They said Sudip
Banerji would be joining as additional secretary for higher education and Sunil Kumar as joint secretary. Kumar, a Chattisgarh cadre IAS officer, was Arjun Singh's private secretary during the minister's previous stint. Banerji, who was involved with the National Literacy Mission during Singh's previous stint in the human resources development ministry, is known to be his close aide.
Handpicked by Murli Manohar Joshi, Pandey had become the spokesman for the ministry in its dealings with the Indian Institutes of Management.
After the February 5 order directing the IIMs to slash fees by 80 per cent, Pandey played a key role in inducting six new members in IIM Kolkata ahead of the crucial board meeting on March 26.
