Bhubaneswar: Odia Asmita, which had been the Odisha BJP’s clarion call to take on the then BJD government, has become a shinning instance at the country’s top office – the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office).
With Sambalpur-born Pramod Kumar Mishra serving as Principal Secretary to PM Narendra Modi since Sept 11, 2019, the appointment of Bhubaneswar born Shaktikanta Das (former RBI governor and seasoned bureaucrat) as Principal Secretary –II in the PMO stunned all policy watchers as this has been a special post made for Das by PM Modi.
Though many policy watchers see the appointment as bringing in a seasoned economist to the top office, the big fact here is Das is a history student, whereas Pramod Mishra has not been only a pass out from Delhi School of Economics but had also a doctorate (PhD) in Development economics from University of Sussex.
The PMO is having an economist-bureaucrat in the form of Pramod Kumar Mishra, a former Gujarat cadre IAS officer. Therefore, the appointment of Shaktikanta Das as Prinicpal Secretary –II carries a bigger meaning.
PM MODI – SHAKTIKANTA DAS CHEMISTRY
Unlike Pramod Mishra, Shaktikanta Das was an IAS from Tamil Nadu cadre. After serving in Tamil Nadu at different positions, including industry secretary for two terms, moved to Centre in 2013.
He was serving in Minsitry of Fertilisers and Chemicals, when the Narendra Modi government took charge after the historic 2014 win.
As PM Modi has been new to Lutyen’s Delhi, PM conducted a thorough screening of all serving IAS officers in a 3-week’s time.
And in its first high level bureaucratic re-shuffle appointed Shaktikanta Das, a Tamil Nadu cadre IAS officer, as Revenue Secretary replacing Rajiv Takru, a Gujarat cadre IAS officer.
Bureaucratic sources have attributed the appointment of Shaktikant then to the following core aspects in his CV
- Architect of Sriperumbudur Industrial Belt
- High persuasive powers
- Adhered to principles but a pragmatic persona
- Humility
- Commitment to public service
- Hard work and dedication
After appointment, the rest has been history.
He was among Modi’s key men in 2015-2017, who saw over the big policy decisions taken by PM Modi – Demonetization, GST and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
Between the years 2015 and 2017, Shaktikant Das was the Economic Affairs Secretary to Govt of India.
After his retirement, PM Modi appointed him as a member in 15th Finance Commission and also India’s Sherpa to G-20.
And in Dec 2018, Shaktikant Das was appointed as the 25th Governor of RBI. He demitted Office in 2025, becoming the second longest serving RBI governor in Independent India’s history.
WHY PM MODI APPOINTED SHAKTIKANT DAS AT PMO NOW?
The above factual analysis shows that PM Modi has complete trust on the Odia IAS officer.
Shaktikanta Das is now the only bureaucrat who has seen the two sides of economic governance – Fiscal (as Economic Affairs Secy in Finance Ministry) and Monetary (as RBI Governor).
Moreover, during his stint as Indian Sherpa to G20, bureaucratic sources reveal, his contributions to global economic issues that had helped advance India’s interests and priorities.
The above facts, when seen in the current context of India facing with, hint at the need of Shaktikant Das in PMO.
- With the expertise of seeing inside out of the fiscal and monetary world, Shaktikant Das will help PMO in guiding an integrated and uniform policy to spearhead the country out of current slowdown.
- Will help PMO in formulating policies that strike a fine balance between price control and economic growth.
- PMO will utilize his understanding of global economic issues to deal with the exigencies like Trump’s reciprocal tariff on India.
