New Delhi : On Wednesday, the Centre appointed Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla to assume the additional charge of the Secretary, Department of Border Management, with immediate effect. The decision was conveyed through an official statement from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

As per the statement, Bhalla will discharge this additional responsibility until the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders are issued. This move comes subsequent to a one-year extension granted to Bhalla until August 22, 2024, as per an earlier notification from the DoPT.

Initially set to retire from service in November 2020 after completing 60 years and concluding his fixed two-year tenure, Bhalla’s term was extended on October 17, 2020. Following this, he received two consecutive one-year extensions, maintaining his position until August 22 of the current year.