The personal relationship is one reason Saikia is where he is. The other reason is purely professional. Saikia handles personnel at the PMO. This includes, among other things, transfers and appointments of bureaucrats. And though the portfolio is not as high-profile as external affairs or defence, it is not without its share of the spotlight. Or flak. As one of Saikias friends pointed out, "He refers to this as the Disappointments Section, rather than appointments. In other words, all the bureaucrats who have been left out start gunning for him." For instance, the bureaucracy blames him for favouring ias officers from the Northeast. Currently, there are about five secretaries from the region on deputation at the Centre, a record of sorts. Saikias friends say that it is not just he but the PM himself who is committed to promoting the Northeast. "The question of course is, is there any officer who doesnt deserve to be a secretary in this list?" they ask. The answer to that one, of course, depends on whos carrying out the survey.