Himachal Pradesh Government has appointed Vidya Chander Pharka, Additional Chief Secretary-cum-Principal Secretary to Chief Minister as Chief Secretary of the State with immediate effect. He will also hold additional charge of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Tribal Development and Information & Public Relations Department. He assumed the charge of Chief Secretary on Tuesday. Pharka was promoted as Additional Chief Secretary on March 4, 2014 and held the charge of Tourism & Civil Aviation, Tribal Development and Information & Public Relations Department. He was inducted in IAS on October 13, 1983 and started his career as SDM, Rohru. He has served the Himachal Government in various capacities including Deputy Commissioner of Shimla, Chamba and lahaul-Spiti districts, Revenue Commissioner of all the Divisions of the State.