Mr Alok Perti has been appointed as the new Secretary, Ministry of Coal.

Mr Perti, currently the Special Secretary in the Ministry of Coal, will replace Mr C. Balakrishnan who will retire on August 31, an official statement said. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on Tuesday approved Mr Perti’s appointment.

Mr Perti joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1977 and belongs to the Assam cadre. Mr Perti, a Masters in Social Planning and Policy in Developing Countries from the London School of Economics, has worked with the Union Ministries of Defence, Health and Family Welfare.

He has also served in the Departments of health, transport and public enterprises of Assam Government.

Mr Perti was also a member secretary to the Kelkar Committee set up by the Ministry of Defence to suggest modifications to Defence acquisitions, WHO consultant for conducting study and validation of National Immunisation Programme in Bhutan and also served as a consultant to UNICEF to develop a material management systems for supply in Myanmar. Mr Perti is currently on the board of Coal India and Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd.