This refers to reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has turned down the choice of a particular IAS officer to be appointed as Private Secretary to Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha.
Mr Modi had earlier directed that approval of the Prime Minister's Office was needed for appointing personal secretaries and other personal staff to Ministers.
It is good for the country that a strong Prime Minister has emerged, one who is bold enough to have proper checks and controls even on his Ministers. It was otherwise also necessary because of the negative general public perception about those in politics because of allegations about their selected personal staff being actively involved in brokering corrupt deals and other unsavoury conduct.
Credit also goes to a Government where the ruling party, having its own absolute majority, can no more be directed by allied partners for wrong-doing. Alliance regimes have suffered in the past because of pressures.