New Delhi: Former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief M K Narayanan was today (May 29, 2004) appointed as Special Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for a three-year term and will hold the rank of Minister of State, it was officially announced.

Narayanan, a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was IB chief from 1989-90 after which he was made the chairman of the Joint Intelligence Command. He was brought back to head the IB in 1991 and retired the next year.

In 10 top-level appointments announced today, Navin B Chawla, a 1969 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was made the new Information and Broadcasting Secretary succeeding Pawan Chopra who retires on May 31.