S. Malathi, an officer of Indian Administrative Service belonging to the 1977 batch, on Tuesday assumed charge as the 39th Chief Secretary of the State.
She succeeded K.S. Sripathi, who held the post exactly for two years. Ms. Malathi is the second woman to occupy the post, the first being Lakshmi Pranesh (December 2002-April 2005).
A native of Thanjavur district, Ms Malathi began her government service as Assistant Collector (training) Tiruchi in 1978. Eight years later, she became the Deputy Commissioner of the Chennai Corporation and in 1987, she was posted Collector of the erstwhile North Arcot District.
She held different positions such as the Agriculture Director (1989) and the Additional/Special Secretary in the Finance Department (1993-1994). As Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department for five full years (1996-2001), she presided over the execution of several development projects in the urban areas of the State.
Ms. Malathi was the Commissioner and Special Commissioner of Economics and Statistics during 2001-2006. She briefly held the post of Special Commissioner and Commissioner of Commercial Taxes during 2006-2007 and in January 2007, she became Home Secretary, the post she held nearly for three-and-a-half years. A couple of months ago, she became Vigilance Commissioner and Commissioner for Administrative Reforms.
The order issued on Tuesday stated that Ms. Malathi had been appointed the Chief Secretary on the retirement of Mr. Sripathi, whose services were extended since the end of April this year. Though he had two more months to go, he was allowed to retire from service on Tuesday.
Asked whether he was being made the State Chief Information Commissioner, Mr Sripathi told reporters that he was not given any order.
Repeating that he had an “excellent support” from his officers” and “terrific guidance” from his superiors, the outgoing Chief Secretary described the World Classical Tamil Conference as a “great achievement” of the government. “I just happened to be a part of it,” he said.
Ms. Malathi said she would like to carry forward the work of her predecessor.
Later, Mr. Sripathi and Ms. Malathi called on Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
