From correspondents in Delhi, India, 09:31 PM IST

Disinvestment Secretary Rahul Khullar has been appointed the new commerce secretary, the government said Friday.

Khullar, a 1975 batch officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) of the union territory cadre, will succeed G.K. Pillai, who will take charge as the home secretary.

Khullar was appointed secretary in the Department of Disinvestment in January.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cleared Khullar's name, an official release said.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)