NEW DELHI, Oct. 30 -- The appointments committee of the cabinet on Friday named 1993-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Sandeep Poundrik as secretary of the ministry of heavy industries, according to an official order.

Poundrik, an IAS officer of the Bihar cadre, has been given additional charge of the heavy industries ministry while continuing as secretary of the steel ministry.

Union minister HD Kumaraswamy holds both the steel and heavy industries portfolios, and Poundrik's new responsibility means he will now head both ministries at the secretary level.

Poundrik's appointment comes at a time when crucial tasks for the heavy industries ministry would be to ensure smooth continuation of key electric mobility schemes su...