New Delhi: Two seasoned Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers – Rajiv Mehrishi and Guruprasad Mohapatra – have been selected for Padma awards, one of the highest civilian awards of the country. Mehrishi, an IAS officer of 1978 batch, has been selected for Padma Bhushan award, which is given for distinguished service of high order.
Before his retirement, Mehrishi held many critical posts at the Centre including Home Secretary. He was also the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. He was the 13th Comptroller and Auditor General of India and vice-chairman of the United Nations Panel of External Auditors.
Only recently, NSE IFSC, NSE’s International Exchange in GIFT City, appointed Mehrishi as the chairman of its governing board. The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) had earlier approved his appointment as a Public Interest Director (PID) on the Governing Board of NSE IFSC with effect from December 9, 2021.
“The board and the management of NSE IFSC welcome Mehrishi as chairman of NSE IFSC. His experience in corporate governance, finance, audit and corporate law will be immensely beneficial for the future development of NSE IFSC,” the exchange said.
Gujarat cadre IAS officer of 1986 batch Guruprasad Mohapatra has been selected posthumously for Padma Shri award. He was Secretary in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) when he passed away due to Covid-19 related complications in New Delhi last year. He was 59. Mohapatra had played a key role in several projects including the Sabarmati Riverfront and had introduced ‘model roads’ in Ahmedabad.
Padma Awards are conferred in three categories - Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The awards are given in various disciplines and fields of activities like art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service and ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the eve of Republic Day every year.
These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhavan usually around March or April every year. This year the President has approved conferment of 128 Padma Awards including two duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one). It comprises four Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri awards. /BI/
