Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Monday carried out a major bureaucratic reshuffle, reassigning several senior IAS officers across key departments, including Higher Education, Sports, Health, Agriculture, Power, Finance and Transport.
Among the most notable appointments, B Ashok, whose suspension was revoked on June 6, has been appointed Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department. Another officer whose suspension was recently revoked, N Prashanth, has been posted as Special Secretary, Sports Department.
The reshuffle also saw significant changes in the leadership of departments dealing with health, agriculture, power, local self-government, finance and public administration.
B. Ashok Gets Higher Education Portfolio
Senior IAS officer B. Ashok, a 1998-batch officer, has been entrusted with the Higher Education Department as Principal Secretary.
The appointment comes days after the revocation of his suspension, marking his return to a key policymaking position in the state administration.
N. Prashanth Posted as Special Secretary, Sports
N. Prashanth has been appointed Special Secretary in the Sports Department.
In addition to his new role, he will hold full additional charge of:
- Youth Affairs
- Zoos
- Museum
- Archaeology
- Archives
The posting also follows the revocation of his suspension earlier this month.
Rathan U. Kelkar Gets Multiple Additional Responsibilities
Rathan U Kelkar, who recently assumed charge as Secretary to the Chief Minister, has been assigned several additional responsibilities.
He will hold full additional charge as Secretary of:
- Newly created Department for Welfare of the Elderly
- Coastal Shipping Department
- Inland Navigation Department
- Information and Public Relations Department
The creation of a dedicated Department for Welfare of the Elderly is among the notable administrative developments in the reshuffle.
Additional Chief Secretaries Receive Expanded Portfolios
Bishwanath Sinha
Bishwanath Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Vigilance), will now also oversee:
- Coir Development Department
- Housing Department
He will continue to hold the additional charge of Water Resources.
K.R. Jyothilal
K R Jyothilal, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), has been given additional charge of:
- Planning and Economic Affairs Department
- Member-Secretary, Kerala State Planning Board
He will continue overseeing:
- Taxes Department
- Rebuild Kerala Initiative
- Public Procurement Advisory Department
Rajan N. Khobragade
Rajan N Khobragade, Additional Chief Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), will continue to hold additional charge of the AYUSH Department.
Major Changes in Power, Agriculture and Health
M.G. Rajamanickam Appointed KSEB CMD
M G Rajamanickam has been appointed Chairman and Managing Director of the Kerala State Electricity Board.
He will additionally hold charge of:
- Power Department
- Environment Department
- Parliamentary Affairs Department
Minhaj Alam Shifted to Agriculture
Minhaj Alam, the outgoing KSEB CMD, has been transferred as:
- Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture
- Agriculture Production Commissioner
Sharmila Mary Joseph Gets Health
Sharmila Mary Joseph has been appointed Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare.
She will also hold additional charge of:
- Food and Civil Supplies
- Consumer Affairs
New Assignments for Senior Officers
Raju Narayanaswamy
Raju Narayanaswamy has been posted as Principal Secretary, Sainik Welfare Department.
Biju K.
Biju K becomes Secretary, Forests and Wildlife Department.
He will additionally oversee:
- Skill Development Department
- Cashew Department
- General Administration Department
- Tourism Department
Tinku Biswal
Tinku Biswal will continue as additional charge holder for Director General, Institute of Management in Government.
Transport, Revenue and Public Works Departments Get New Officers
T.V. Anupama
T V Anupama has been transferred as Secretary, Transport Department.
She will also hold additional charge of:
- Airports
- Metro Rail
- Personnel and Administrative Reforms
In addition to her existing responsibilities relating to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes Development.
Adeela Abdulla
Adeela Abdulla becomes Special Secretary, Public Works Department.
Jeevan Babu
Jeevan Babu has been posted as Special Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management.
Suhas S.
Suhas S becomes Special Secretary, Water Resources Department.
Local Self-Government and Infrastructure Changes
Shanavas S.
Shanavas S has been appointed Special Secretary, Local Self Government Department.
He will additionally hold charge as:
- Managing Director, Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala Ltd.
- Special Officer, Capital Region Development Project
Divya S. Iyer
Divya S Iyer has been posted as Principal Director, Local Self Government Department.
Education and Cooperative Sector Appointments
Afsana Perween
Afsana Perween has been appointed Director, Collegiate Education.
She will also hold additional charge of Controller of Entrance Examinations.
Snehil Kumar Singh
Snehil Kumar Singh has been appointed Director of General Education.
He will additionally serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Education Rejuvenation Mission.
Prem Krishnan S.
Prem Krishnan S has been appointed Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
Other Key Appointments
- Geromic George appointed Officer on Special Duty, Finance (Expenditure).
- Geromic George will additionally serve as Managing Director of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd and CEO of Kerala Maritime Board.
- Asif K Yusuf appointed Director, NORKA.
T V Subhash posted as Special Secretary, Agriculture Department.
Key Highlights
- B. Ashok appointed Principal Secretary, Higher Education.
- N. Prashanth becomes Special Secretary, Sports.
- Rathan U. Kelkar gets charge of newly created Department for Welfare of the Elderly.
- M.G. Rajamanickam appointed KSEB CMD.
- Minhaj Alam shifted to Agriculture Department.
- Sharmila Mary Joseph takes over Health and Family Welfare.
- Wide-ranging changes made across finance, transport, power, education and local self-government departments.
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