Kuniyil Kailashnathan

Chief Principal Secretary of Gujarat

Kuniyil Kailashnathan (K Kailashnathan)
കുനിയിൽ കൈലാസനാഥൻ
25th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry
Incumbent
Assumed office
7 August 2024
Chief MinisterN. Rangaswamy
Preceded byC. P. Radhakrishnan (additional charge)
Personal details
Born (1953-05-25) 25 May 1953 (age 71)
Vadakara, Kozhikode district, Kerala, India
Alma materUniversity of Wales
University of Madras
OccupationRetired IAS Officer

Kuniyil Kailashnathan (b. 25 May 1953) is a retired 1979 batch IAS Officer who is currently serving as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.[1] He previously served the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as Additional Chief Secretary until 2013. He has served as Chief Principal Secretary of Gujarat CMO until 30 June 2024.

Early life and family

He grew up in Ooty, where his father worked in the Postal Department.[2]

Career

Kuniyil Kailashnathan started his career as an Assistant Collector Junior Timescale on 1 September 1981. He had served as Collector of Surendranagar (1985) and Surat (1987).[citation needed]

Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry K. Kailashnathan receiving a bouquet of flowers from Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on August 19th, 2024
K. Kailashnathan with Narendra Modi

He had also been the Chief Executive Officer of Gujarat Maritime Board. In addition, he served as the Municipal Commissioner of Ahmedabad from 1999 to 2001[3] and the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department of Gujarat (UDD). While at UDD, he chaired the Steering Committee that developed the Bus Rapid Transit Project for Ahmedabad. [1]

He retired as Additional Chief Secretary in the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office (CMO) on 31 May 2013,[4] ending 33 years of service. Still, he was retained in the CMO as Chief Principal Secretary, a post created for him and served until 30 June 2024.[5] In addition, he served as Chairman of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd. He is also the Chairman of the Executive Council of the Mahatma Gandhi Sabarmati Ashram Memorial Trust, overseeing the Gandhi Ashram Redevelopment Project. [2][3]

Kailashnathan has also served as a Member of the Board of Directors for Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (GSPCL) and was also a member of the Governing Body of the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology & Research Centre. [4] [5]

In his earlier roles, he played an important part in industrial development and privatizing ports in Gujarat. His contributions to the infrastructure sector include spearheading the establishment of a statewide drinking water pipeline grid in Gujarat and serving as Managing Director of Gujarat State Financial Services.[6] [7]

Kailashnathan was sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry on 7 August 2024.[8]

Education

He holds postgraduate degrees from the University of Madras (MSc. Chem) and the University of Wales (MA Econ).[6]

References

  1. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (7 August 2024). "Kailashnathan sworn-in as Lt. Governor of Puducherry". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 August 2024. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ "The most powerful Indians in 2014: No. 81-90". 13 March 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Period wise Municipal Commissioners". Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  4. ^ "The men who rule Modi's Gujarat". www.thehindu.com. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  5. ^ Jha, Satish. "Ex IAS Kailashnathan bids adieu to Gujarat CM office where he served for 11 years after retirement on multiple extensions". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Company Overview of Gujarat State Financial Services Limited". Retrieved 25 May 2014.


  • v
  • t
  • e