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Click here
for .pdf version of Personal Profile.
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Dr
G.Sundaram
has served the country as one of its most distinguished civil
servants. During his illustrious career, which spanned nearly
thirty-five years, he has served in various capacities, carving a
niche for himself. Being an exponent in International Trade with
special reference to the EEC, he was one of the persons who promoted
relations between India and the EEC(now EU).
After obtaining a Masters Degree in Economics from the prestigious
University of Madras, India in 1958, G.Sundaram taught Economics in
the well-known Madras Christian College in 1959-1960. In India, the
brilliant students aspire to appear for the competitive examination
for the Civil Services and it was but natural that Sundaram set his
focus on the prestigious career. He was selected to the premier
Federal Civil Service viz., the Indian Administrative Service in
1962.
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He
held civil service positions connected with development and industry
from 1963 -' 69. He proceeded to Brussels in 1970 to specialize in
international economic relations with special reference to the EEC. He
obtained an M.Phil., (Licençe Special) in Economics of Integration
with special reference to the EEC from the University of Brussels. The
course included International Trade, Public Finance, etc.,
On
return to India, he joined the Ministry of Commerce, Government of
India and specialized in export promotion, inter- Governmental
relations in relation to Trade Agreements and also negotiated some of
them. (1971 -' 76)
After
this, he obtained a Ph.D., from the Delhi School of Economics in 1977
for his thesis, Commercial Policy of the EEC and the Association
Agreements. His thesis was published. It is available in the UN, EU
and US University Libraries.
In
the light of his academic achievements and professional expertise, he
was posted Counsellor in the Embassy of India and Mission to the EEC,
Brussels, and accredited to the EEC, Belgium and Luxembourg for nearly
three years. (1979 -' 81)
On
his return, his several positions included, Joint Secretary, Ministry
of Defence, Government of India, Chairman, Gujarat Pollution Control
Board, Sales Tax Commissioner and the Ministry of Environment of the
Government of India. (1982 -' 90). He was the first one in India in 1986
to suggest introduction of VAT on the EEC pattern. It has since become
a reality as a major financial reform in India.
He
was the official leader to the UNEP conference on Transboundary
Movement of Hazardous Substances and signed the Convention.
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He
came back to the Ministry of Commerce in 1990 in the second highest
position of Additional Secretary. During this period, his tasks
included several inter-Governmental negotiations relating to trade,
international economic relations, exports promotion, which included
export finance. As Chairman of a committee on Export Credit appointed
by the Central Bank of the country (Reserve Bank of India), he
produced a path-breaking report. Many recommendations of this
Committee were accepted by the then Finance Minister Dr Manmohan
Singh (now Prime Minister) in the Government of
India budget. His other notable achievement is the successful
negotiation of the current, upgraded Cooperation Agreement with the
EEC (Third current Agreement between India and the EEC). He was on the
Board of many companies including the Air-India.
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He
was Secretary to the Government of India during 1993-1996, which was
the highest rank in the official hierarchy. After having been
Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat and the Ministry of Civil
Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution System, he was
Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. He retired on 31.10.1996 at the then
retirement age of 58.
The
members of the Indian Administrative Service are shown against a State
Cadre. Accordingly, he was assigned to Gujarat, which had made
tremendous progress in Industries. Since he was the Secretary to the
Government of India, Ministry of Tourism, the Government of Gujarat
appointed him as Adviser (Tourism Development) with the same rank
after his retirement. In that capacity, he has given many suggestions
to the Government of Gujarat and promoted tourism in the area.
(1997-1998)
He
had attended many international conferences during his outstanding
career. As Additional Secretary, Commerce, Government of India, he was
the official leader to the ESCAP Conference.
He
was on the Board of many companies. Even at present, he serves on the
Board of the Taj Group of Hotels( now over ). He is adviser to various consumer
groups and social service organizations. |
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