Govt rewards key IAS officer behind drafting of Lokpal Bill

Indian Administrative Services officer Alka Sirohi, the key coordinator for the drafting of the Lokpal Bill, has been appointed as a Member of the Union Public Service Commission.

It is seen as a reward from the United Progressive Alliance government for Sirohi, a 1974 batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, and presently serving as the secretary in the department of personnel.

The UPA II government has gone out of the way to appoint

Sirohi on January 2 as she can assume office of Member UPSC, an extremely pivotal post, before her 60th birthday that falls on January 4.

There is also a hidden benefit, which UPA II has given to Sirohi on a silver platter, who is set to retire on January 31. If she joins on January 3, she shall have a full-five years tenure and also the best pension as Member, UPSC.

The government has not yet identified Alka Sirohi's successor, but she has been allowed to take voluntary retirement on January 2.