THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet convened here Wednesday decided to appoint Dr Biswas Mehta as the new chief secretary. Mehta will be replacing Tom Jose retiring this month.

Dr Biswas Mehta is presently additional chief secretary (home). Mehta, a native of Rajasthan, is a senior IAS official in the state. He is very close to the chief minister. Mehta, a 1986 batch, will be in service till February 19 in 2021.

Ananth Kumar of 1984 batch, Dr Ajaya Kumar and Dr Indrajit Singh of 1985 batch are seniors than Mehta. The three are in the post of cabinet secretaries in centre. Indrajit Singh and Anantha Kumar have one year service and Dr Ajaya Kumar has two year service. Mehta was appointed as the chief secretary as the other three are not interested in serving in the state.