G K Pillai is new home secretary

Commerce Secretary GK Pillai was on Friday named the new home secretary and will take over from incumbent Madhukar Gupta, who retires on June 30.

Commerce Secretary GK Pillai was on Friday named the new home secretary and will take over from incumbent Madhukar Gupta, who retires on June 30.

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The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cleared Pillai's name.

Pillai, 59, is a 1972-batch Kerala-cadre IAS officer. He had earlier served as joint secretary in the home ministry and was in charge of northeast affairs.

Pillai's name was also tossed around for the defence secretary's post as Vijay Singh, the present incumbent, retires on July 31.

Gupta, who was granted an extension of three months because of the general elections is expected to be made a governor, said government sources.