Bhubaneswar, Aug 31 - Senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Tarun Kanti Mishra Monday took charge as Orissa's chief secretary, official sources said.

Mishra who was the state home secretary twice, succeeds Ajit Kumar Tripathy who retired Monday.

Mishra, who has authored several books in Oriya including a novel and won literary awards, is expected to remain in the new post till he retires Aug 31, 2010.

Born Aug 3, 1950, Mishra joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1975 and worked as secretary of at least 12 departments before becoming additional chief secretary of the state - his last assignment.