About
Diverse experiences & networks: private sector (19 years), Indian governments (IAS 17…
Articles by Shailesh K.
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Infrastructure & Modi government - Part 1
Infrastructure & Modi government - Part 1
By Shailesh K. PATHAK
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India's Smart City Mission - review & critique of critics
India's Smart City Mission - review & critique of critics
By Shailesh K. PATHAK
Activity
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Visiting IIT Kanpur after more than 49 years for a guest lecture. Last time, I had visited IIT Kanpur was in 1975 for IIT Admissions Counselling…
Visiting IIT Kanpur after more than 49 years for a guest lecture. Last time, I had visited IIT Kanpur was in 1975 for IIT Admissions Counselling…
Liked by Shailesh K. PATHAK
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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲? On the left is my neighbour's black jumbo car. On the right is my small green parklet…
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲? On the left is my neighbour's black jumbo car. On the right is my small green parklet…
Liked by Shailesh K. PATHAK
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Joining nasscom was the best career decision I had made 7 years back. What an incredible journey it has been! And what an amazing team – one that…
Joining nasscom was the best career decision I had made 7 years back. What an incredible journey it has been! And what an amazing team – one that…
Liked by Shailesh K. PATHAK
Experience
Education
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Selected by Government of UK’s Chevening Scholarships for inaugural CRISP programme at University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School
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- Present
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Law Degree LLB
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Part-time course, on finance focused on capital and security markets
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As an ardent environmentalist, while posted as Additional Collector Jabalpur, completed this Correspondence Course on Ornithology from BNHS. Highlight was a 5 day birding study-visit to Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary near Mumbai. Subsequently was the Madhya Pradesh state coordinator for annual bird counts.
Publications
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Support Job Creators & Entrepreneurs
The Economic Times
- virtuous competition among state governments for more business creation is good
- how the move from a shortage economy to today’s India has resulted in many more jobs
- how to benefit people with low incomes
- how entrepreneurs can be celebrated, esp MSMEs
- how Covid taught us public finance lessons
- Why efficient tax-collection processes and transparent spending of public funds directly impact public welfare, which in turn impacts politics -
Budget 2023 - Expect Higher Outlay for Infrastructure Sectors
Moneycontrol Network 18
With almost 2 weeks to go for the Union Budget, 3 confident predictions. Some views. And a tip on how to avoid naïve comments on February 1, 2023.
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Morbi bridge tragedy, learnings from railway & aviation
Moneycontrol Network 18
How bridges could be safer, and how road safety and cities could learn from railway & aviation safety processes
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Infrastructure & Cities get big boost
Financial Express, newspaper
Thank you, Finance Minister. How the Union Budget 2022 contributed to 4 Cs: Co-ordination, Capacity, Construction and Confidence. Significant measures for India’s urbanisation in our ‘Amrit Kaal’ over the next 25 years to India@1947, the largest shift from rural to urban in human history. And success story of how rural women are getting tap water @Rs 15,790 per home.
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Voter List - Aadhaar linking
Financial Express newspaper
Aadhaar going to be used to help easier enrolment in Electoral Rolls, and de-duplication - 7 reasons why this is a good idea
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Union Budget 2021, infra spend & impact
Financial Express
Five key elements of Union Budget 2021:
1. Monetisation of existing assets and disinvestment of companies; only four strategic sectors
2. High increase in expenditure outlays; DEA to have Rs 44,000 crore allocation as incentives for better performers; especially happy on the urban Jal-Jeevan mission, for piped water supply to all urban households, and extension of piped gas networks in 100 additional cities
3. Institutional structures and policy enablers; including a DFI NaBFID…Five key elements of Union Budget 2021:
1. Monetisation of existing assets and disinvestment of companies; only four strategic sectors
2. High increase in expenditure outlays; DEA to have Rs 44,000 crore allocation as incentives for better performers; especially happy on the urban Jal-Jeevan mission, for piped water supply to all urban households, and extension of piped gas networks in 100 additional cities
3. Institutional structures and policy enablers; including a DFI NaBFID capitalisation of Rs 20,000 crore, Rs 5 lakh crore loan book in three years.
4. Strong infrastructure focus
5. ‘Sankalp to Siddhi’ or ‘resolve translating to outcomes’; demonstrates resolve seldom seen in earlier decades -
Promises to keep: unshackling India
Times of India
By 2028, India would be the world’s 3rd largest economy, but quick contract enforcement & dispute resolution need much more attention
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2018 Infrastructure outlook
Financial Express
Five likely outcomes in 2018 for Indian Infrastructure, and five wish-list items
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HighSpeedRail to HighSpeedJobs
Times of India
What critics of the High Speed Rail project could appreciate about the numerous benefits of our 'Shinkansen'
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India should widen pool for better appointed officials
Sunday Guardian, newspaper
How could your Chief Minister/Prime Minister or Cabinet Ministers deliver much better outcomes to you as a citizen? 7 steps outlined.
P.S. mid-career bright officials would benefit the most. -
Lateral Entry into top government jobs way forward
Business Standard newspaper
Appointment to top government jobs should be opened to competition, irrespective of seniority or service/cadre. Instead of the current limited pool of candidates, get better fit and outcomes.
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Infrastructure in India@75
Swarajya Magazine
Review of what transpired in the last 25 years, and what could happen in the next 6 years till 2022. While much has improved, there is still an enormous amount of work to be done in the infrastructure sector, with no time to waste. India needs to think big, and execute with speed and scale.
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Unleashing Indian Cities - 7 steps
Governance Now magazine
Review of Union government's Missions for Indian cities, and 7 steps to unleash them as national growth engines. Hint - get local champions to become empowered.
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Why the IAS hang-up is cop-out from good governance - Pay Commission
Firstpost
How the 7th Central Pay Commission over-pays junior staff and under-pays top management in government. And why all Joint Secretary and above posts at Union AND state levels should be open to all government officers, batch and service no bar; see para 7.3.37 The 6th Central Pay Commission had already recommended this in para 6.1.8.
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Getting talent & youth into politics
Business Standard, financial newspaper from Delhi
How Indian cities are managed badly because of poor political leadership. Which is the result of rotational reservation taking away incentives for re-election.
How to redress this anomaly. -
Why young talent can't rise in India's politics: Death by Rotation
Huffington Post India
Why Indian politics was taken over by dynasts and gerontocrats, and how, by design, young talent is hitting a glass ceiling in political careers. How to correct this, and lead to better city governance.
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PPPs good in theory, failure in practice
Economic Times
My journey from PPP fan to skeptic, and how PPPs turned into TTT (Taxpayer-Tycoon Transfer). Also, how we could recalibrate PPPs much better
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2 Missions to transform Urban India
Swarajya Magazine
For those living in Indian cities, or interested in India's urban future, analysis of the two Urban Missions - Smart Cities & AMRUT
Including a story from Hannover Messe -
Smart cities around Railway Stations
Swarajya magazine
'How to do' piece on creating smart cities around railway stations, by busting silos & promoting competitive federalism. In 'Swarajya' magazine from Rajaji's days, now revived.
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Growth Engines of Future: book review of Kotler's book
Business Today magazine
Where I review Philip & Milton Kotler's book, 'Winning global markets' - how it is time to focus on leadership of megacities, not just states, to spur development. The Kotlers say that in tomorrow's brave new world, the interplay between megacities and multinationals will determine prosperity across the world.
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Passport to success
Business Today magazine
On MBA programmes, and the difference between Indian and global MBAs
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Smart city governments for smart cities - how to get there
Governance Now Magazine
Why Indian city governments are sub-adults, and how to enable them to grow up. 'The rich are moving into their gated communities; it is the not-so-well off who bear the adversities of dysfunctional city governments'
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Looking ahead : 'Big bang in infrastructure 2014-19'
Indian Infrastructure magazine
A 3 pager written before swearing in of the new PM & Ministry. Covers manifesto highlights, how to execute new construction, better run infra assets & how to finance it. Immediate steps and wish list as well. The next five years are going to be interesting....
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Politicians of a lesser God: why city governments don't work
Indian Express, daily newspaper
Aam Netas vs. Khaas Netas: rotational reservation for Mayors results in too many moving parts, and too little incentive for good work. With Indian urbanisation increasing in importance, how to remove a fatal flaw in city government's performance.
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How to get Governance going
Governance Now magazine, New Delhi
The two strikes currently bedeviling India, 'decision-making strike' and 'investment strike' - 6 reasons, 5 proposed solutions.
Extract 'For a brief period in the boom of 2004-08, there were naive triumphalists in the private sector who proclaimed that India grew when its government was sleeping. This is utter nonsense. For India to do better, the Indian government needs to work much, much better.' -
Infrastructure projects have changed; adapt or perish
The Economic Times
Answers to 'How to build it' and 'how to finance infrastructure' - in which caterpillars and butterflies attract different investors. And how 2013 is different from 2007...
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Infrastructure : towards a stronger India
INSAR 2012 India's National Security Annual Review 2012, Edited by Prof. Satish Kumar
One of sixteen chapters in the book. INSAR published annually since 2001. In 2013, introduced a section on 'Steps towards a stronger India'. Other contributors include Jamshyd Godrej, Gopal Pillai, Shyam Saran, Shakti Sinha & Chandrajit Banerjee. In this 1800 word piece, we discuss the three kinds of infrastructure essential for India - physical, social and attitudinal.
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Highway muddle to make PPP viable
Financial Express, financial newspaper from Mumbai
National Highway Authority of India's program of Indian Highways runs the risk of being anti - user; a more balanced approach needed for sustainability. For highway sector issues.
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Speedy justice for Leaders
Financial Express, financial newspaper from Mumbai
To get better elected leaders, a proposal to have an ultra fast track court to resolve all cases in acquittal or conviction for a small group of India's top leaders, whether elected or appointed.
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UK urbanization, lessons for India
Oxford University, Said Business School
UK's breakneck urbanization between 1800 and 1920 has many lessons for Indian cities experiencing such rapid growth over the next two decades. As part of the Chevening Rolls-Royce Science, Innovation & Policy Programme March-July 2011 at Oxford University
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Mumbai - making it better
Governance Now magazine, fortnightly from New Delhi
A Bombay-Mumbai fan talks about what ails the megacity, and what could be done to reclaim its future
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Link between good infrastructure & winning elections?
Economic Times, financial newspaper from Mumbai
A analytical discussion of the infra link in Bihar's Chief Minister winning a second term, and key learnings for other states
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Indian Infrastructure - recalibrating the PPP strategy
Stanford University, CRGP
India’s infrastructure, both physical and social, remains its biggest bottleneck. The ambitious targets over the last five years, and the next ten, envisage much of the new infrastructure coming up through PPPs (public private partnerships). This article argues that early-stage construction risk is best borne by the government. PPPs work much better with existing assets, or the new assets being created by government. The lower risk in existing assets makes both financing and implementation…
India’s infrastructure, both physical and social, remains its biggest bottleneck. The ambitious targets over the last five years, and the next ten, envisage much of the new infrastructure coming up through PPPs (public private partnerships). This article argues that early-stage construction risk is best borne by the government. PPPs work much better with existing assets, or the new assets being created by government. The lower risk in existing assets makes both financing and implementation easier for PPPs in renovation, operation and maintenance, under long term contracts. China realized this in the early nineties, and embarked upon new assets being created by the State. India is losing out on quickly creating infrastructure by not laying sufficient emphasis on publicly created infrastructure.
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Are PPPs running out of steam
Financial Express, financial newspaper from Mumbai
An appraisal of the Indian PPP story thus far
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Let megacities have CMs
Economic Times, financial newspaper from Mumbai
Indian megacities are hampered by their respective State governments; time ot switch to the global model of powerful megacity governments and start with the top ten megacities getting converted into metropolitan states with their own governments
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Dissolving the Partnership
Indian Express, newspaper from New Delhi
A suggested way forward for infrastructure PPPs in India
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PPP projects - Audit by the CAG (Comptroller & Auditor General)?
Business Standard, financial newspaper from Mumbai
Two perspectives on the issue, alongwith Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MP, on how should audit mechanisms treat PPP projects
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Reform of the land acquisition act – Capturing Land appreciation for all
Indian Infrastructure magazine, published monthly from New Delhi
An analysis of the proposed land acquisition act in India, especially on pricing and compensation (proposal for KSOPs - Kisan or Farmer Stock Option Programme) and public purpose definitions.
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Clean, green cities
Sustainability Tomorrow, quarterly magazine from CII-ITC
Sustainability in India's rapidly growing cities, and how we can work towards it in water, waste disposal, power, transport, buildings, spatial planning and so on
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Indian PPP experience - State level
Stanford University, CRGP - roundtable @ IIT Madras
Co-presented with Dr. Ashwin Mahalingam of IIT-M, an overview of all the public private partnerships happening at the state level in India, as part of the Stanford University's CRGP roundtable in Chennai, 2008
Other authors -
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Kailash Mansarovar - Mount Meru, centre of the world
Outlook Traveller Books - '101 Pilgrimages'
An evocative travelogue of the hardest trek in the world, the parikrama of a Mountain in Tibet, and a holy lake at 15000 ft
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Happy birthday, Ma'am
Indian Express, newspaper from New Delhi
A personal tribute to one of India's finest teachers and institution builders, on Teachers' Day
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The Vikas Express model - cutting edge innovation
'Management in Government', quarterly, published by Government of India
The story of how Management principles were applied to improve the working of field functionaries at the cutting edge, in a large district in central India. The quality of public services delivered to the average citizen improved significantly. The Vikas Express model was later upscaled to the entire state of Madhya Pradesh.
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The Investor is not a moron; he is your husband
Capital Market, monthly magazine, Bombay
From my initial ICICI years. User friendly article for capital market professionals & investors, on the four Ps of investing and capital markets. Acknowledging David Ogilvy's famous saying, excerpts: 'Would you like your daughter to marry a stockbroker' and 'The Gujarati Dentist' adapted from the Belgian....
Courses
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Bombay Natural History Society's Diploma in Ornithology
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CFA Institute's DBF
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Honors & Awards
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Chevening CRISP Leadership programme, University of Oxford
Chevening Scholarships, Government of UK
Awarded Chevening Scholarship for inaugural CRISP programme Mar-July 2011 to Said Business School, University of Oxford.
2015-2017 Founder-President of Chevening Alumni (India): CAI with City Chapters in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Pune.
2018-2020 Elected President of CAI.
2500 Chevening alumni in India and increasing
When abroad, met with Chevening Scholars in that country - excellent global network. -
European Union Visitor Program EUVP
European Commission
European Commission specially invited me for a tour of EU institutions in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg, alongwith other guests from Canada, USA, S. Korea and Egypt. Good learnings on EU’s institution building, transport network design, successful development of poorer member-countries, and conflict management. Many similarities and mutual lessons between India and European Union, with diverse languages & operating styles
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Eisenhower Fellow 2000
Eisenhower Fellowships, Philadelphia; https://efworld.org/
One of 15 young Indian leaders chosen for the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship, visited many US cities in Fall 2000 to study infrastructure and governance systems. Learnt about mobility for professionals across private, government and non-profit sectors.
Later, served as President, Eisenhower Fellowships India 2012-15, sent many more outstanding candidates on Eisenhower Fellowships, welcomed Eisenhower Fellows from US to India.
When abroad, met with Eisenhower Fellows in that country -…One of 15 young Indian leaders chosen for the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship, visited many US cities in Fall 2000 to study infrastructure and governance systems. Learnt about mobility for professionals across private, government and non-profit sectors.
Later, served as President, Eisenhower Fellowships India 2012-15, sent many more outstanding candidates on Eisenhower Fellowships, welcomed Eisenhower Fellows from US to India.
When abroad, met with Eisenhower Fellows in that country - great network of global leaders. -
National Talent Scholar
Government of India, Ministry of Education
National Scholarships Scheme, Certificate of Merit for high position in ICSE exam Dec 1978
Test Scores
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GMAT Graduate Management Admission Test 1988
Score: 98 percentile
While at ICICI Mumbai, wanted to work on Wall Street, wrote GMAT & was about to send in applications to Wharton, Harvard and Stanford. Then public service beckoned.
Languages
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
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Hindi
Native or bilingual proficiency
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French
Limited working proficiency
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Bengali
Limited working proficiency
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Gujarati
Limited working proficiency
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Marathi
Limited working proficiency
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Tamil
Elementary proficiency
Recommendations received
7 people have recommended Shailesh K.
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Good opportunity for domain experts to contribute to nation building...
Good opportunity for domain experts to contribute to nation building...
Liked by Shailesh K. PATHAK
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Shailesh K. PATHAK By the way how did the earlier selection, accommodation and contribution to policy making go?
Shailesh K. PATHAK By the way how did the earlier selection, accommodation and contribution to policy making go?
Liked by Shailesh K. PATHAK
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Good opportunity for those who wish to make a difference at a country policy level..
Good opportunity for those who wish to make a difference at a country policy level..
Liked by Shailesh K. PATHAK
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This is a good opportunity for colleagues from industry to try their hand in nation building - broadens your understanding of how the government…
This is a good opportunity for colleagues from industry to try their hand in nation building - broadens your understanding of how the government…
Liked by Shailesh K. PATHAK
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It’s a welcoming move in continuation. A diversified mix in governance structure shall always help in bringing innovative ways,improved efficiencies,…
It’s a welcoming move in continuation. A diversified mix in governance structure shall always help in bringing innovative ways,improved efficiencies,…
Liked by Shailesh K. PATHAK
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Good opportunity for professionals to directly contribute in growth of the country by working at senior strategic positions in Central Government.
Good opportunity for professionals to directly contribute in growth of the country by working at senior strategic positions in Central Government.
Liked by Shailesh K. PATHAK
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#Opportunity #JointSecretary #Director #Lateral #Entry #Union #Government
#Opportunity #JointSecretary #Director #Lateral #Entry #Union #Government
Liked by Shailesh K. PATHAK
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An opportunity to make a difference while working for government. Join the Goverment in this lateral entry opportunity to work as Director/Deputy…
An opportunity to make a difference while working for government. Join the Goverment in this lateral entry opportunity to work as Director/Deputy…
Liked by Shailesh K. PATHAK
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