Sheyphali B Sharanwill be the first woman spokesperson and officer to head the Press Information Bureau (PIB) since the time BJP came into power in 2014. Sharan, a 1990-batch Indian Information Service (IIS) officer, will take charge as principal director general (PDG) of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) after incumbent PDG Manish Desai’s tenure ends on 31 March.
She is a seasoned officer with a successful stint as spokesperson of the Election Commission during the 2019 general elections. She has also served as chief communication officer for the railways ministry.
In a related development, Maushami Chakraborty has been appointed director general of All India Radio (AIR), the public news broadcaster. Chakraborty, a 1991-batch IIS officer, will take charge in April, replacing Vasudha Gupta.