New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Jharkhand-cadre IAS officer Amit Kumar has been appointed as Private Secretary (PS) to Union Tribal Affairs Jual Oram.
The 2010-batch IAS officer has been appointed to the post at the level of Director for the period of
five years, the notification issued by Department of Personnel & Training on April 25 said.
In January, Jual, who is an MP from Odisha’s Sundargarh, had written to the prime minister’s office (PMO) for the replacement of his PS Parag Harsha Gavali, citing personal reasons.
“The undersigned proposes to make changes in the support team of the Minister for Tribal Affairs. In this context, it is recommended that the present private secretary Dr Parag Harshad Gavali be replaced for personal reasons. The decision to replace Gavali has been made based on personal considerations. The present change is intended to ensure optimal support and efficiency in the minister’s Office,” his letter to principal secretary to the PMO, P K Mishra, said.
A month later, the Union Minister moved Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, seeking disciplinary action against the 2013-batch officer over his unauthorised absence since January 23, 2025. “I have requested DoPT to initiate appropriate disciplinary action against Dr Parag Harshad Gavali as per the relevant provisions of the All-India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules. I formally request you to update records in the personal file of Dr Parag Harshad Gavali, presently posted as my private secretary. This letter should be part of his APAR for the year 2024-25,” his letter stated.
Gavali had earlier served as Sundargarh collector. He was reportedly appointed as the PS in July 2024 on Jual’s recommendation.
