Sood, who returned from Central deputation, had been eyeing the post of state’s chief secretary despite his retirement being due this month end. But Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal decided that Sood take charge as chairman of HPSEB.

So far, Chief Secretary Ravi Dhingra had been holding additional charge of the chairman’s post after the High Court stayed the previous government’s order of giving two-year re-appointment to Kanwar Shamsher Singh, a retired chief secretary.

The High Court orders came on a PIL, which had questioned the legality of the government order in view of pending trifurcation of the Board and also the manner in which the government had given Kanwar a fresh re-appointment.

The state government and HPSEB had also approached the Supreme Court to seek a stay on the High Court’s interim order, but the plea was not allowed.

The new chairman, S.K. Sood, hails from Kangra district and had worked at different positions in the state and Central government. His immediate task will be to work on unbundling of the HPSEB till March 31 next.