Bengaluru: Senior IAS officer T.M. Vijay Bhaskar has been appointed as the Chief Secretary this morning by the State Government. Incumbent Chief Secretary K. Ratna Prabha is set to retire today.

Vijay Bhaskar will take charge within this evening. Vijay Bhaskar was serving as Additional Chief Secretary till now.

Chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy cleared the appointment. According to sources in the Government, Bhaskar, a 1983 batch IAS officer, stood a good chance to replace Ratna Prabha owing to his good track record. He has two years of service left. Bhaskar had served as the Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru in the 1990s. Kumaraswamy had written to the Centre last week seeking a three-month extension for Ratna Prabha till Sept.30. However, the Centre hasn’t responded to the proposal leaving the CM with no choice but to opt for a new officer.