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The Centre on Monday appointed Varma, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, as Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti. She moves to the post from her position as Mission Director, National Water Mission. Varma brings nearly three decades of administrative experience to the post
The list of women Secretaries spans several key portfolios. Anuradha Thakur heads the Department of Economic Affairs, Punya Salila Srivastava Health and Family Welfare and Rachna Shah Personnel and Training. Nidhi Khare is Secretary, Consumer Affairs, while Neelam Shami Rao and Ranjana Chopra head Textiles and Tribal Affairs, respectively. Women officers also head the departments of Scientific and Industrial Research, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Ex-Servicemen Welfare.