K Rajaraman to Succeed Anshu Prakash as the Next Telecom Secretary

K Rajaraman, a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Tamil Nadu Cadre has been appointed as the new Secretary in the DoT, replacing Anshu Prakash. He will take charge from Prakash on 1st October, 2021.

K Rajaraman the new Telecom Secretary

Currently, Rajaraman is the Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA). He will take over the new role following Prakash's superannuation on September 30, 2021, which was announced earlier. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has conveyed the decision to the Department of Personnel and Training.

DoPT announced the selection in a notification on Wednesday. "Shri K. Rajaraman, lAS (TN:89), Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance as Secretary, Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications vice Shri Anshu Prakash, IAS (UT: 86) upon his superannuation on 30.09. 2021".

Earlier on, Rajaraman has also held charge as an additional secretary (investments) in the DEA. He was responsible for key areas such as Investment Protection Treaties (NPT). What's more, he oversaw the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund. He had also worked towards forging strong worldwide economic relationships, particularly with the G20 and BRICS nations.

This is why, Rajaraman's appointment will resonate with the Government's ambition to attract crucial FDI, following the telecom relief package. On September 15, the Union Cabinet unveiled a string of reforms and announcements to relieve the telecom sector.

Rajaraman inherits a sector under stress, and a sector that will look up to him to further ease the pressure.