Mitra new Himachal chief secretary - hold ks

Shimla, May 23 (IANS) P. Mitra, a 1978-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, will be the new chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh, succeeding Sudripta Roy, who has been appointed advisor to the government.

Mitra earlier was the additional chief secretary (home and vigilance) since October last year when then chief secretary Roy had to be hospitalised following brain haemorrhage.

Roy, also of 1978 batch, was on leave since then. He has now been appointed advisor to the government.

Mitra was recently in controversy when the former director general of police I.D. Bhandari said Mitra, as the revenue secretary, was allegedly involved in corruption over granting permissions in land deals in the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government.

Bhandari retired from the post April 30.