NEW UNION CABINET SECRETARY: K.M. CHANDRASEKHAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002788 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/INS, DRL, INR/B E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PINR IN SUBJECT: NEW UNION CABINET SECRETARY: K.M. CHANDRASEKHAR Classified By: PolCouns Ted Osius for reasons 1.4 (B,D) The Top Bureaucrat -------------- ¶1. (C) On June 14, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh named former Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, K.M. Chandrasekhar, as Union Cabinet Secretary. A member of the 1970 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) -- Kerala Cadre, Chandrasekhar now holds the highest ranking bureaucratic post in the government. During his two year tenure, Chandrasekhar will responsible for the appointment and transfer of all IAS officers. Additionally, he will coordinate and act as facilitator among Cabinet Ministers. Professional Background -------------- ¶2. (C) Known for his intelligence and honesty, Chandrasekhar has 37 years of experience in the IAS. He spent the early part of his career in Kerala (1971-1996),where he was recognized for innovation. As Civil Supplies Secretary, he launched the public sector, "Maveli Stores," retailing essential goods at below market prices. As Fisheries Secretary, he launched the "Matsya Fed," a state sponsored SIPDIS cooperative extending credit to traditional fishermen. As Industries Secretary, he played a key role in setting up one of South India's first software technology parks, "Technopark." His last job in Kerala was as Finance Minister. ¶3. (C) In 1996, Chandrasekhar moved to Delhi to serve as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade Policy Division. Interested in global trade and economic issues, he left India in 1999 for Brussels to serve as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy. There he worked on economic and commercial issues relating to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg. His major break came during his Brussels tenure (1999-2001),when he briefed and advised former Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran, a fellow South Indian, on WTO negotiations. In 2001, Maran elevated Chandrasekhar to India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, based in Geneva. He served there until 2004. (Note: Chandrasekhar has attended all the WTO Ministerial Conferences ) Singapore (1996),Geneva (1998),Seattle (1999),Doha (2001) and Cancun (2003). End Note.). After Geneva, Chandrasekhar returned to India as Revenue Secretary in the Ministry of Finance (2004-2007),and ensured consistent high performance in revenue collection while ushering in systemic changes in revenue administration, procedures and policy. Throughout his career, Chandrasekhar has been Chairman/Chief Executive/Director of more than 40 public and private sector companies in India, including Chairing the Spices Board of India. Almost a USG Guest -------------- ¶4. (C) In 1994, the Consulate in Chennai nominated Chandrashekar for an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). At that time, he was serving as Finance Secretary to the Government of Kerala. Unfortunately, he was unable to go to the U.S. because of a GOI objection to IAS participation in the IVLP program. Education and Personal Background -------------- ¶5. (C) Born on February 20, 1948, as the only son of a railway officer in an upper caste Hindu family in Trichur, Chandrasekhar received a Bachelor's Degree with honors in Economics, History, and Psychology and a Masters Degree in History from the University of Delhi. Union Minister Kapil Sibal was his classmate at St. Stephen's College, Delhi University. While in the IAS, Chandrasekhar earned a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Leeds, United NEW DELHI 00002788 002 OF 002 Kingdom. ¶6. (C) Chandrasekhar is married to Jaya from Trichy, Tamil Nadu. They have a daughter, Preethy, who lives in Bangalore. Their other daughter Priya, a journalist, died in a car accident. In his spare time, Chandrasekhar enjoys reading astronomy and philosophy. He speaks excellent English, Hindu, and Malyalam, his mother tongue. He also speaks some Tamil and has learned some Sanskrit. ¶7. (U) This message has been coordinated with ConGen Chennai. MULFORD