India sets up seven inter-ministerial groups to tackle West Asia crisis

Key facts

• The Cabinet Secretariat constituted seven Groups of Secretaries (GoS) covering security, economy, energy, fertiliser, logistics, essential commodities and public outreach.
• Around 60-65 senior officials are involved, with each group including about two officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and one from the Cabinet Secretariat.
• The strategic issues group is headed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and includes Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
• The economic, finance and supply chain group led by Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) Secretary Anuradha Thakur has 11 members including eight secretaries.
• The petroleum, LNG and LPG group headed by Neeraj Mittal comprises 10 members including the Chairmen and Managing Directors of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), GAIL and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
• The fertiliser group led by Rajat Kumar Mishra has 11 members including heads of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative and KRIBHCO.
• The price and essential commodities group chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare has seven officials.
• The transport and logistics group headed by Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar has six members.
• The information, communication and public engagement group led by Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Secretary Sanjay Jaju has 10 members.