Thiruvananthapuram: In a significant administrative reshuffle, the Pinarayi Vijayan led Kerala government has transferred and assigned new roles to 11 officers of the Additional Chief Secretary rank and other senior IAS officials.
The move, aimed at strengthening the state’s administrative machinery, comes with several key departments receiving new leadership.
Key Appointments and Transfers:
Bishwanath Sinha (IAS: 1992: KL), currently serving as Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Vigilance Department, will now also oversee the Forest and Wildlife Department as an additional charge.
K R Jyothilal (IAS: 1993: KL), previously in charge of the General Administration Department, has been appointed as Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department. He will additionally handle Taxes, Public Procurement Advisory, Planning and Economic Affairs (RKI), and continue as CEO of the Rebuild Kerala Initiative.
Puneet Kumar (IAS: 1993: KL), presently handling Personnel and Administrative Reforms, has been transferred to the Local Self Government Department. He will also oversee SC/ST Development, Backward Classes Development, and the Power Department.
Dr Rajan N Khobragade (IAS: 1993: KL), Additional Chief Secretary for Health and Family Welfare, will take on additional responsibilities of Personnel and Administrative Reforms and Official Language departments.
K Biju (IAS: 2006: KL), Secretary of Public Works, has been given additional charges of the General Administration and Transport Departments (including Aviation, Metro, and Railway).
Keshvendra Kumar (IAS: 2008: KL), has been posted as Secretary, Finance (Expenditure), moving from the Local Self Government Department.
Dr A Kowsigan (IAS: 2009: KL), Commissioner for Land Revenue, will now also handle the Sainik Welfare Department and serve as Commissioner for Guruvayur and Koodalmanikyam Devaswoms.
Mir Mohammed Ali (IAS: 2011: KL), Managing Director of KSIDC, will become Chairman & Managing Director of the Kerala State Electricity Board Limited. He retains his KSIDC role and takes on the position of Special Secretary, Power Department.
Jeevan Babu (IAS: 2011: KL), MD of Kerala Water Authority, has been assigned the additional charge of Mission Director, Resilient Kerala for the Additional Finance Programme (Coastal Protection) and a new Coastal Conservation Project supported by the ADB.
Dr Adeela Abdulla (IAS: 2012: KL), Special Secretary, Social Justice Department, will now also serve as Special Secretary in the Local Self Government Department. She has been relieved from her role in the Woman and Child Development Department.
Dr Chithra S (IAS: 2014: KL), previously Additional Secretary in Finance (Expenditure), has been appointed as Additional Secretary and Officer on Special Duty in the Local Self Government Department. She will also act as Principal Director and oversee Waste Management.
This reshuffle is part of the state’s broader effort to enhance administrative effectiveness and bring sharper focus to critical sectors.
