Hours after taking the oath as Karnataka’s Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar made key administrative appointments, naming retired IAS officer L.K. Atheeq as Financial Advisor to the Chief Minister. The move is among the first major bureaucratic decisions of the newly formed government and signals a focus on financial planning and governance reforms.
According to official orders, L.K. Atheeq will serve as Financial Advisor to the Chief Minister while continuing as Chairman of the Bengaluru Business Corridor project. The government has granted him salary and allowances equivalent to those of the Chief Secretary, reflecting the significance of the role.
L.K. Atheeq Returns to Key Advisory Role
A seasoned bureaucrat, L.K. Atheeq retired from the Indian Administrative Service after holding several important positions in the Karnataka government. He had served as Additional Chief Secretary to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah before stepping down from the post in June last year citing personal reasons.
Prior to that, Atheeq played a prominent role in the Finance Department and was closely associated with the implementation and monitoring of the Congress government’s flagship welfare guarantees. His experience in public finance and policy execution is expected to support the new administration’s governance and development agenda.
Tushar Giri Nath Appointed Additional Chief Secretary to CM
In another important appointment, senior IAS officer Tushar Giri Nath has been posted as Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister.
He succeeds Anjum Parwez in the role and will simultaneously continue to hold the charge of Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department. The dual responsibility is expected to strengthen coordination between the Chief Minister’s Office and urban governance initiatives across the state.
Rajendra Cholan P Named Secretary to the Chief Minister
The government has also transferred senior IAS officer Rajendra Cholan P and appointed him as Secretary to the Chief Minister.
In addition to his new assignment, he will continue to hold concurrent charge as Managing Director of Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), Bengaluru. The arrangement is expected to ensure close coordination between the government and key infrastructure and power sector projects.
Strengthening the Administrative Team
The appointments come as Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar begins shaping his administrative team following the formation of the new government. Officials said the selection of experienced officers for strategic positions reflects the administration’s emphasis on financial management, infrastructure development, and efficient policy implementation.
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With L.K. Atheeq returning in an advisory capacity and senior officers being entrusted with key responsibilities in the Chief Minister’s Office, the new government has moved quickly to establish its administrative framework and governance priorities.
The appointments are expected to play an important role in supporting the government’s policy agenda, monitoring major development projects, and ensuring effective coordination across departments in the coming months.