New DGFT Pravir Kumar Takes Position

Mr. Pravir Kumar (IAS, 1982 batch UP cadre) joined as new Director General, Directorate General of Foreign Trade on 25 April. Mr. Madhusudan Prasad, the acting DGFT from Min of Commerce handed over charge to Mr. Pravir Kumar. Given the present trend in promotions to Secretary rank, we can expect Mr. Kumar to continue in the DGFT post, (equivalent to Additional Secretary in the Central Government) for about two years before promotion to Secretary.

The senior officer has a background of exports, having served as Development Commissioner of Kandla SEZ and Rahej SEZ some six years ago.

Mr. Kumar has a tough job ahead. Export growth has turned negative month on month basis from the beginning of this year. The complex Foreign Trade Policy for the next Five Year period 2014-2019 must be finalized after the new Government in the Centre is installed at the end of this month.

His predecessor Dr. Anup Pujari (Promoted to the post of Mines Secretary) created a culture of transparency and openness in the trade sector with EDI. This will help Mr. Kumar but he must set his own pace in decision making.

The trade and the industry hope that the decision making in DGFT will speed up with frequent committee meetings and quick decisions on file. The trade sector in India has grown and day to day problems of interpretation and decision making need quick decisions taken with a large heart for smooth operations. Sometimes a decision on file can help the trader in trouble. As they say, a stitch in time saves nine.

Arun Goyal -Ed-