Rajni Sekhri Sibal back in CMO

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 26

Senior IAS officer Rajni Sekhri Sibal, who was reportedly instrumental in the conviction 55 persons in the JBT teachers recruitment scam, including former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and his son Ajay, is back in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

The 1986 batch IAS officer of the Haryana cadre has been appointed Additional Chief Secretary-cum-State Level Nodal Officer for compensation in the CMO, besides being the Additional Chief Secreatry(Cooperation). Sources said as the State Nodal Officer for compensation, Sibal would be tasked with disbursing relief among those affected by the recent Jat agitation.

While posted in Haryana in the early 2000, Sibal was reportedly instrumental in bringing the JBT scam to the notice of the Supreme Court which ordered a probe by the CBI which ultimately culminated in Chautala’s conviction.

Sibal was the predecessor of IAS officer Sanjiv Kumar, who was also convicted along with Chautala, as Director, Primary Education (DPE).

In January, 2000, Sibal’s predecessor RP Chander had received the selection list of the 3,206 JBTs, which were advertised in November,1999. Before the selected candidates could be appointed, Chander was shown the door. Sibal was brought in his place .

The Chautala Government reportedly put a lot of pressure on Sibal to change the teachers’ selection lists. However, Sibal, instead of succumbing to the government’s pressure tactics, brought cotton bandages and sealed the steel almirah (in which selection lists were kept) in the presence of employees of her office. Besides, the keys of the almirah were also reportedly sealed in an envelope. Sibal soon made way for Sanjiv Kumar as the DPE .

The sealing of the almirah made it tamper-proof which made it difficult for his successor or other functionaries to replace the original selection lists.