R Gopalan has been appointed as Secretary Economic Affairs. He will hold this position, in addition to his current charge as Secretary Financial Services.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday approved the proposal from Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in this regard.

This is the first time that the government, during the Budget exercise, has not given an extension to Ashok Chawla, who was the finance secretary till Gopalan's name was approved.

Gopalan has been attending the pre-Budget discussions with the finance minister and the Prime Minister's Office since August, and hence his appointment was expected.