Former Law Secretary, T.K. Viswanathan, Adviser to the Union Minister for Law and Justice M. Veerappa Moily, was appointed new Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha with effect from October 1, 2010. Viswanathan, 62, succeeded P.D.T. Achary, who relinquished office on September 30. Achary served as Secretary-General for six years and was given a year's extension in 2009.