Thiruvananthapuram, IAS officer Viswas Mehta on Monday took over as the new Chief Secretary of Kerala after incumbent Tom Jose retired.

Jose, who served as Chief Secretary for 23 months, retired on Sunday but came to his office on Monday morning to hand over charge to Mehta.

"Wish to carry forward all what Jose took up and the biggest issue before me is to tackle the Covid-19," Mehta said.

A 1986 batch IAS officer, Mehta was presently the Home Secretary. Hailing from Rajasthan, he began his service as Kollam Assistant Collector in June 1987.

He has held important posts and superannuates in May 2021.

Though he was not the senior most officer, he got the plum post as the seniors to him presently on central deputation wished to continue in their present position.