HYDERABAD: Smt. Minnie Mathew is the new Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh. She assumed charge as the Chief Secretary relieving Mr. Pankaj Dwivedi who demitted the office today on attaining the age of superannuation. The Chief Minister Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy took the decision to appoint Smt. Minnie Mathew who is the senior most IAS officer. Principal Secretary (Political) Mr Ajay Mishra, Special Secretary, Protocol, Mr Ramana Reddy, Secretary, Services, B Venkateswara Rao and other officials were present.

After assuming charge as Chief Secretary, Smt. Minnie Mathew called on the Chief Minister Mr N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Smt. Minnie Mathew, is the senior most IAS officer of 1976 batch of Andhra Pradesh cadre. She was the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA)  before taking over the new Chief Secretary. Smt. Minnie Mathew is the native of Kerala and hails from Trichur District.

Smt. Minnie Mathew started her career in Andhra Pradesh as Sub Collector at Rajampet. Later, she became the first and so far the only lady Collector of Hyderabad. Smt. Minnie Mathew also served as Secretary, APPSC; Secretary, State Election Commission; Principal Secretary, Industries; Principal Secretary Women Development and Child Welfare.

Smt. Minnie Mathew was the Special Chief Secretary, G.A.D and CCLA before taking over as Chief Secretary. During the inter-cadre deputation to Kerala she was special officer for a new Pathanamthitta District in Kerala and worked as Secretary, PWD in the Government of Kerala. Smt. Minnie Mathew worked on Central Deputation as Secretary, Coir Board and also was the Chairman of the Coconut Development Board. She served as the Controller at VSSC, ISRO at Thiruvananthapuram for a short stint. Her husband Mr Mathew C Kunnumkal, recently retired IAS officer, was the Director General of NIRD, Rajendranagar and is now Member, Kerala State Administrative Tribunal.