from Daijiworld's special correspondent

Bangalore, Jan 1: The end of the year 2006 also marked a major change of guard at the admistrative level in the state.

Prahlad B Mahishi took over as chief secretary of Karnataka government from Malati Das who retired at the end of December. Mahishi was appointed chief secretary in supersession of six senior personnel, which has created some bitter feelings in the bureaucracy.

K R Srinivasan took over as state's new director general of police from B S Sial, who too retired on December 31.

Both new incumbents met chief minister H D Kumaraswamy in the Vidhana Soudha on Sunday.

During the take-over by the new DGP at the police headquarters here, fire and home guards DGP Dr Ajai Kumar Singh, additional DGP (administration) K L Negi and other top brass of the police were present.

After a guard of honour by the KSRP platoons, Sial was escorted in an open, decorated jeep to his residence.