Patna, June 24: Four IAS officers of the Bihar cadre, all from the 1982 batch, have been empanelled for promotion to the rank of secretary.

The officers - Girish Shankar, Rashmi Verma, Navin Verma and Ramesh Abhishek - are currently on central deputation. Sources said that a total of 28 IAS officers across the country have been empanelled for promotion.

"Bihar has fared well as four officers have been chosen for promotion," a senior IAS officer said on condition of anonymity. Bihar ranked second after Uttar Pradesh, seven of whose cadre officers have been selected for promotion to secretary rank. At present, Girish Shankar holds the post of additional secretary in the ministry of tourism and Rashmi Verma is posted as additional secretary, revenue department, under the ministry of finance. Navin Verma is posted as additional secretary, Research and Analysis Wing in the cabinet secretariat while Abhishek is posted as member, forward markets, in Mumbai.

Contract doctors

A delegation of contract doctors association on Wednesday met principal secretary health Brajesh Mehrotra in support of their demands that include filling up of vacant posts in the state and regularisation of service by the state.