Srinagar, June 23: Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Chhattisgarh cadre BVR Subrahmanyam has taken charge as Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir. The 55-year-old a 1987-batch IAS officer hails from Andhra Pradesh. Subrahmanyam replaces B.B. Vyas. Before this, he was the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) in Chhattisgarh.

Vyas was about to retire in November last year, but he was given two extensions of three months each till May this year. According to reports, the extensions were given on the request of the then chief minister of the state, Mehbooba Mufti.

Subrahmanyam considered an expert in internal security matters. He has served as private secretary to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during 2004-2008. He again joined Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in 2012. The 55-year-old IAS officer worked with the World Bank during June 2008 and September 2011. Subrahmanyam also served in PMO under Narendra Modi-led government for almost one year before he was moved to his Cadre State, Chhattisgarh.

On Tuesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ended its alliance with People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Jammu and Kashmir.  After the alliance was broken, Chief Minister Mufti resigned from the post. President Ram Nath Kovid approved governor rule in the state the very next day. Meanwhile, the security forces again started military operations against terrorists in the Kashmir Valley after the Centre refused to extend Ramzan ceasefire.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2018 04:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).