Ranchi, Jan. 2: IAS officer K. Vidyasagar, who retired on November 30, 2016, as additional chief secretary of health department, has now been appointed as the chairman of Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC). A formal notification in this regard was issued today.

His predecessor D.K. Shrivastava, an Indian Forest Service officer, retired on December 31, 2016, as he attained the age of 62 years.

A 1985-batch IAS officer who has served the state government in various key posts, Vidyasagar would be at the helm of JPSC till November, 2018, when he turns 62.

Sources in the government said that after chief minister Raghubar Das' approval, the file pertaining to Vidyasagar's appointment as JPSC chairman has been sent to governor Droupadi Murmu.

Her approval is needed as the post of the state civil services commission chairman is a constitutional one.

Vidyasagar told The Telegraph he had been apprised about the development. "I want to first settle down following a nod from the office of the governor. It's a big responsibility," he said.

A senior IAS officer, who was Vidyasagar's colleague, termed him hardworking. "He is systematic. He will be able to give a major facelift to the state service commission. Government aims to recruit many persons through JPSC in 2017, so his performance is the key," the officer of principal secretary rank said.

Various JPSC exams are lined up this year, including the mains of 6th State Civil Services Examination, besides appointment of professors, assistant professors, principals and others in five universities.

The gvernment, however, is yet to announce the chairperson of State Election Commission. The chair is vacant since July, 2016, when Shiv Basant, a former chief secretary, retired after he turned 65.

Although leaving the chair headless doesn't send a good message, it is being perceived that the government is waiting for a suitable candidate. The name of former home secretary N.N. Pandey was doing the rounds for this post, but nothing can be said for sure.