Christy Fernandes secretary to Pratibha Patil

New Delhi, July 26: Mr Christy Leon Fernandes, a 1973 batch IAS officer, has assumed charge as Secretary to President Pratibha Patil.

The appointment of Mr Fernandes, who was Tourism Secretary, was finalised by the government after consulting Ms Patil, who was sworn in as the President of India yesterday.

Mr Fernandes emerged the winner of the top bureaucratic post in Rashtrapati Bhawan after Mr P M Nair, whose tenure was co-terminus with former President A P J Abdul Kalam.

He is due to retire in June 2009, but can continue beyond this date on a contract basis if the President so desires.

UNI