Maya aide retires prematurely

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh, considered close to outgoing Chief Minister Mayawati, on Tuesday, took premature retirement from service with effect from 9 March, official sources said here."The Cabinet Secretary, whose extension period was slated to end on 31 March, has taken premature retirement with effect from 9 March," they said.[caption id="attachment_236884" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="UP's cabinet secretary considered close to outgoing chief minister."][/caption]Singh, who had retired in May 2010, was given two years extension by the state government which was due to expire on 31 March. "As his services continued even after superannuation, it is called as premature retirement," the sources added.Singh, who rose to the rank of the cabinet secretary of the state despite being a non-IAS officer, was considered close to outgoing Chief Minister Mayawati.His tenure as Cabinet Secretary was marred by controversies. Singh\'s appointment as Cabinet Secretary had been challenged in the court several times.PTI