The Kerala government on Wednesday (21.08.2024) appointed senior IAS officer Sarada Muraleedharan (IAS:1990:KL) as the next Chief Secretary of the state. She will assume the role from her husband V Venu (IAS:1990:KL), who is set to retire on August 31. Sarada currently serves as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Local Self-Government Department.
The decision to appoint Sarada as the next Chief Secretary was made during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Kerala will become the second state, after Karnataka, where an IAS couple has consecutively held the position of Chief Secretary. Since the state’s formation in 1956, there have been two instances where IAS couples have served as Chief Secretaries, but not in consecutive terms.
Recently, in Karnataka, Shalini Rajneesh (IAS:1989:KN) succeeded her husband Rajneesh Goel (IAS:1986:KN) as Chief Secretary. In Maharashtra, Sujata Saunik became the state’s first female Chief Secretary in June, following the retirement of Nitin Kareer (IAS:1988:MH) on June 30, 2024. Her husband, Manoj Saunik (IAS:1987:MH) served as Chief Secretary of Maharashtra before Nitin Kareer took over the post on January 1, 2024.
Also Read: Karnataka: Dr. Shalini Rajneesh appointed Chief Secretary
Also Read: Maharashtra: Sujata Saunik becomes first woman Chief Secretary
