P G Mankad has taken over as secretary, Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Mankad is an IAS officer of 1964 batch from Madhya Pradesh cadre.

FM on Board of African Development Bank

Union Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha has been appointed as India's representative on the Board of Governors of the African Development Bank. He has replaced P Chidambaram, former Union Finance Minister.

Energy award for V Bakthavatsalam

Dr V Bakthavatsalam, managing director, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has been awarded the `Energy Man of the Year' title by the IBPL Urja Research Foundation. He had been conferred with this award for his outstanding contributions in the field of energy, environment and consevation during the past decades in the country.

Bajthavatsalam is instrumental in promoting the concept of renewable energy in India and leading a pioneering institution IREDA as it's first MD.

As an ardent campaignerof renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, Bakthavatsalam with an untiring zeal and enthusiasm has provided the much needed acceleration to this new movement.

IPPL Urja Reseawrch Foundation is a leading institution working in the field of energy conservation and environment presevation and managed by a Board comprising emininent industrialists, distinguished parliamentarians and leading economists.

Shyamal Datta to be IB chief

Government has approved the appointment of Shyamal Datta, IPS of 1965 batch of West Bengal cadre, as Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB). The appointment of Shyamal Datta to the post of Director, Intelligence Bureau will take effect from April 17, 1998 on relinquishing of charge of the post by Arun Bhagat on this date for taking up his assignment in the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Shyamal Datta to be IB chief. R S Mathur has taken over the charge as secretary in the Department of Food and Civil Supplies under the Union Ministry of Food andConsumer Affairs.

He was the chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh prior to his new assignment. He succeeds B K Taimini who retired as secretary, Food and Civil Supplies in February this year.