New Delhi: In a major policy shift, the Central government has appointed former bureaucrat Raghvendra Singh as the Culture Secretary. He replaces Anand Kumar, who has been shifted as the Secretary of the National Commission for Backward Classes, as part of a top-level bureaucratic reshuffle, according to an order of the Ministry of Personnel headed by Dr Jitendra Singh.

As per the order, Singh, a 1983-batch (retired) IAS officer of West Bengal cadre, is at present the Chief Executive Officer, Development of Museums and Cultural Spaces. He has been appointed as the Secretary, Ministry of Culture on a contract basis and on usual terms and conditions applicable to re-employed central government officers for a period of one year from the date of assumption of the charge of the post, the order said.

The order says that Singh will continue to hold the charge of the post of CEO, Development of Museums and Cultural Spaces. Singh was the cultural secretary from December 1, 2017 to August 9, 2018, according to his official records.

Singh succeeds Kumar, a 1984-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, who has been shifted as the Secretary, National Commission for Backward Classes, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Kumar has been appointed in place of Ajoy Kumar, who superannuates this month-end.

According to the order, S Aparna, a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, has been appointed as the Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals. She will succeed P O Vaghela, who retires on September 30. Senior bureaucrat Apurva Chandra has been appointed as the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment.

As per the order, Chandra, a 1988-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, is currently the Special Secretary and Director General (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence. He will take over the charge from Heera Lal Samariya, who is retiring this month-end.