Modi govt transfers Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram in first major reshuffle

The government has transferred Finance Secretary Arvind Mayaram, replacing him with a top official from Rajasthan, the state that has pushed dramatic free market reforms in recent months.

Mayaram, who had twin roles as both finance and economic affairs secretary and was appointed by the previous UPA government, has been shifted to the Tourism Ministry.

Rajiv Mehrishi, the top bureaucrat from Rajasthan, will replace him at the Finance Ministry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration said on Wednesday.

Over the past six months Rajasthan has introduced some of the country's most radical free-market labour, land and welfare reforms.

Mayaram's transfer is part of the first major shuffle of top civil servants since PM Modi took office in May. In all, 20 bureaucrats have been moved, many at the level of secretary, the most senior rank in civil service.

Finance Ministry Secretaries formulate and carry out policy, besides helping to craft the annual budget in close association with the minister and advisers.

(Reuters)