Aizawl, July 31: The Mizoram government has issued an order that has confirmed rumours that Haukhum Hauzel is going to occupy the chief secretary?s seat after H.V. Lalringa leaves his office on July 31.

The order issued by the state government and signed by Governor A.R. Kohli pertains to Hauzel taking charge of the chief secretary?s post from August 1, 2005. Hauzel will take charge until the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pension in Delhi appoints a new chief secretary for the state.

A high government source said today that they expect the appointment order of the new chief secretary to come from Delhi by Monday.

However, according to the political grapevine, the appointment order would be just a formality as chief minister Zoramthanga has already decided on Hauzel as the next chief secretary.

Hauzel is a 1974 IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre and has been in Mizoram for nearly two decades

There had been a tussle for the top bureaucratic post of the state and even the YMA had surreptitiously been involved in the matter.

Former advisor and secretary to the North East Council, P.L. Thanga had been the prime candidate of the YMA.Thanga had sought for the post to an extent that the Centre had reprimanded him for favouring Mizoram in allocation of funds. A highly reliable source said the YMA had tried everything within its power to stop Hauzel from getting the coveted post and had put forward another name, that of principal secretary Vanhela Pachuau, for the post.

Since the chief minister had already made up his mind, the YMA could not make any headway with the other candidate either.

According to the source, even the YMA central leaders were not unanimous in the candidate for the new chief secretary.