Retired IPSAjit Doval has been granted cabinet status and five more years as the NationalSecurity Adviser (NSA). Doval has been given cabinet rank in recognition of hiscontribution in the national security domain according to reports.
The report stated that Ajit Doval has been given cabinet rank in recognition of his contribution in the national security domain. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Doval as NSA with effect from May 31, 2019 and his appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further order, whichever is earlier. During the term of his office, he will be assigned the rank of Cabinet Minister in the Table of Precedence, according to the letter issued by the Department of Personnel and Training under Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.
There hadbeen much speculation about Doval after Prime Minister Modi took oath for thesecond time last week with his longtime aide Amit Shah who has been appointedas the Home Minister and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Doval isamong the most powerful officers in the country as the man in charge of thenational security establishment that includes all anti-terror and intelligenceoutfits. The 1968-batch Indian Police Service officer was a former IntelligenceBureau Chief. He also oversaw the Balakot air strike after the Pulwama terrorattack and the 2016 surgical strikes after the Uri strike.
