7 groups of secretaries gear up to deal with Gulf crisis

NEW DELHI: In a whole-of-government push, the Cabinet Secretariat has set up seven groups of secretaries (GoS), bringing together around 60-65 senior officials to ensure close coordination across security, economy, energy, fertiliser, logistics, essential commodities and public outreach. Each group includes about two officials from the PMO and one from the Cabinet Secretariat. The move follows directions from the PM at a recent Cabinet Committee on Security meeting.

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Together, the seven groups cut across key ministries and strategic sectors, signalling a tightly coordinated, mission-mode response.

The strategic issues group - focused on defence, external affairs and internal security - is headed by foreign secretary Vikram Misri. It includes home secretary Govind Mohan and defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh among its six members, and is tasked with geopolitical preparedness and public order.


The economic, finance and supply chain group, led by DEA secretary Anuradha Thakur, is the largest, with 11 members, including eight secretaries. Its focus is on macroeconomic stability and export-import resilience. Energy coordination falls under the petroleum, LNG and LPG group, headed by Neeraj Mittal. The 10-member panel includes CMDs of IOC, GAIL and ONGC, and will work to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies.

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The fertiliser group, led by Rajat Kumar Mishra, has 11 members, including heads of key cooperatives such as Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative and KRIBHCO. It is focused on ensuring the timely availability of agricultural inputs.

The price and essential commodities group, chaired by consumer affairs secretary Nidhi Khare, comprises seven officials tasked with managing inflation and maintaining supply stability. Transport and logistics are being overseen by shipping secretary Vijay Kumar, with a six-member group working to ensure smooth movement of goods across the country.The information, communication and public engagement group, led by I&B secretary Sanjay Jaju, has 10 members and will handle coordinated messaging and outreach.

Sources said the groups will function in mission mode, meet frequently and report to the highest levels, underlining an integrated push across security, economy and public communication.