K Vijayanand takes charge as CM’s ex officio special chief secretary

Vijayawada: K Vijayanand assumed charge as the ex officio special chief secretary to the chief minister on Monday. Following his retirement as chief secretary, the govt appointed him to the new role.He had earlier held additional charge as special CS (energy) and chairman and managing director of AP Transco. Vijayanand took charge on Monday at the first block of the state secretariat.Before assuming office, he offered special prayers and blessings from Vedic scholars of the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Devasthanam in Vijayawada and the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).Several senior officials, secretariat department heads, and representatives of employees' associations greeted him and extended their wishes for his new role.Meanwhile, the state govt relieved senior IAS Muddada Ravichandra from the chief minister's office and deputed him as the regular executive officer of TTD.