1982-batch retired IRS officer and former chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Pramod Chandra Mody was appointed new Secretary General Rajya Sabha, replacing P.P.K. Ramacharyulu.
Mr. Ramcharyulu was posted just 73 days back on September 1 as the Secretary General and is perhaps the only person on this post not to attend a single session of Parliament. He has had the shortest tenure so far. No reasons were given for his unceremonious exit. He had joined RS secretariat in 1983 and was the first person who rose from the ranks to occupy the position. Curiously, Mr. Ramcharyulu’s appointment order did not prescribe a tenure. In contrast, Mr Mody’s appointment order clearly lays down one-year tenure for him.
Mr. Ramcharyulu, meanwhile has been reassigned as advisor for one year term.
Mr Mody who took charge on Friday, has had one of the longest tenures as CBDT Chief, getting three extensions in total. He spent 27 months from February 2019 to May 2021 in the post. During his tenure the department had raided leaders of many Opposition parties. The list includes raids on the home of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s daughter and son-in-law ahead of the Assembly elections in the State. The frequent raids were criticised by opposition parties, who alleged the government was using the CBDT as a political tool.
The opposition leaders reacted sharply to Mr. Ramacharyulu's sudden exit. Congress’s Rajya Sabha Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh in a tweet said, “Not surprised at all. Dr. P.P.K. Ramacharyulu is a thorough professional, non-partisan and perfectly qualified for the post — three deadly sins in the Modi regime."
