New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS): Senior IAS officer L.C. Goyal Thursday took over as the new union home secretary replacing Anil Goswami who was removed Wednesday.

Goyal, a 1979 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, is the former rural development secretary.

He earlier served as joint secretary for internal security in the home ministry from 2002 to 2007. He will have a fixed tenure of two years.

"I feel humbled by this huge responsibility. I will fulfil this responsibility with utmost sincerity, commitment, diligence and with a profound sense of accountability. To be able to do so, I solicit active support and cooperation of all stakeholders," he said after assuming office.

"The home ministry mandate is essentially to ensure effective maintenance of internal security in the country.

"To achieve this, necessary mechanisms, policies, and measures are in place. Wherever required and appropriate, improvements will be made within the given timelines. This will be so done in close association and coordination with the state governments and union territories," he said.

Goswami resigned Wednesday after he was told by the government to put in his papers over his alleged role in trying to stall the arrest of former Congress minister Matang Sinh in the multi-crore-rupee Saradha scam.

The government later announced Goyal's appointment.