Mr R Gopalan, a 1976 batch IAS officer from Tamil Nadu cadre, has assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) in Finance Ministry here on Monday. Prior to the appointment as Secretary, DEA, Mr Gopalan was Secretary in the Department of Financial Services.

He has replaced Mr Ashok Chawla, who was in charge of department of economic affairs and retired today as Finance Secretary. The Centre has so far not named a successor for the Finance Secretary post.

Mr Chawla, a 1973-batch IAS officer from Gujarat cadre, had taken charge as Finance Secretary in May 2009. After the latest promotion, Mr Gopalan will hold additional charge of department of financial services for the time being, it is learnt.

Ms Sushma Nath, a 1974-batch IAS officer from Madhya Pradesh, is now the senior-most official in the Finance Ministry and due to retire on March 31. She has been working as Secretary in the Expenditure Department of the Finance Ministry since April 2008.

Ms Nath, Mr Gopalan, along with Revenue Secretary Mr Sunil Mitra and the chiefs of the two revenue boards—CBDT and CBEC--would be the key officials assisting Finance Minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee in the making of Budget 2011-12. The Budget session of Parliament will begin on February 21 and the union budget is expected to be presented on February 28.

Meanwhile, the Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the appointment of Mr D K Mittal, a 1977 batch IAS officer of UP cadre, as the Secretary of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. He will replace Mr R Bandyopadhyay who retired on Monday. Mr Mittal is currently Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

krsrivats@thehindu.co.in

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