Amita Prasad appointed Chairperson of Inland Waterways

The appointment is of note because Prasad’s name had cropped up in a Rs 100-crore scam dating back to 2015
Amita Prasad appointed Chairperson of Inland Waterways

New Delhi: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Amita Prasad (IAS) as Chairperson of Inland Waterways Authority of India. However, the appointment is of note because Prasad's name had cropped up in a Rs 100-crore scam dating back to the time she was serving as DG of Administrative Training Institute (ATI) in Karnataka.

Prasad is currently serving as Director General, National Productivity Council (NPC), Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Her appointment, however, has been done in the rank and pay of Secretary by temporarily upgrading the post. At NPC, she will be replaced by Arun Kumar Jha, an IES officer of 1985 cadre. "Ms Amita Prasad, IAS (KN:85), Director General, National Productivity Council, Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry as Chairperson, Inland Waterways Authority of India, Ministry of Shipping in the rank and pay of Secretary by temporarily upgrading the post," an official order said.

A Rs 100-cr scam?

If one is to look at Prasad's bureaucratic career, it has been quite controversial. In 2015, another bureaucrat, V Rashmi who is known for her uprightness, exposed Prasad's involvement in over Rs 100 crore irregularities in the ATI in Karnataka. Rashmi had succeeded Prasad as the DG of the institute. Following the expose, Rashmi was transferred as a secretary to a defunct department. In the same year, an RTI request filed by an activist wanting to know the outcome of the inquiry against Prasad was denied on the grounds that it was 'personal.'

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