P J Thomas to be next Kerala Chief Secretary

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 18 (UNI) Senior IAS Officer P J Thomas will be Kerala's new Chief Secretary after Ms Lizzie Jacob goes on a three-month leave before taking voluntary retirement from service.

The official announcement is likely to be made tomorrow after a Cabinet meeting.

Mr Thomas, who is currently Secretary to Higher Education and Printing and Stationery Department had served as Ernakulam Collector, Tax Secretary (Board of Revenue), Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala Khadi Grama Vyavasaya Board Secretary, State Cashew Nut Development Corporation MD and Fisheries Director.

Earlier, the IAS Officers Association had protested against the sidelining of Mr Thomas when the government gave temporary charge of Chief Secretary's office to Mr K J Mathew who is junior to him.

Ms Jacob went on a three-month leave in the wake of adverse remarks against her in the controversial ISRO land deal.

UNI