Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has ordered another major reshuffle in the top echelons of the state's bureaucracy, altering the postings and additional charges of 14 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers. Under the new order, Dr S Karthikeyan has been appointed the new Excise Commissioner, while Geromic George has been named Managing Director of Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL).

To advertise here,

The reorganisation comes in the wake of the recent removal of Sriram Sambasiva Rao from the post of Excise Commissioner and M G Rajamanickam as Chairman of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). Administrative circles have also been abuzz with discussions over disputes between ministers and bureaucrats, corruption allegations, and internal resistance within the official machinery.

 

Key postings and additional charges

  • Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph IAS: Principal Secretary to the Transport Department, has been given full additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation Limited (KTDFC), relieving Balamurali D. IAS of the role.
  • Prasanth N IAS: Chairman and Managing Director of KSEB Limited, has been handed full additional charge as Special Secretary of the Museums, Zoos, Archaeology, and Archives Department, relieving Gopalakrishnan K IAS.
  • M G Rajamanickam IAS: Secretary to the Local Self-Government Department, has been entrusted with the full additional charge of Executive Director of the Information Kerala Mission (IKM).
  • Dr Karthikeyan S IAS: Returning from leave, he has been appointed Special Secretary to the Water Resources Department, with full additional charges as Excise Commissioner and Special Secretary to the Housing Department. Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Vigilance) K R Jyothilal IAS has been relieved of the Housing Department charge.
  • Balamurali D IAS: Special Secretary to the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, has been assigned full additional charge as Managing Director of the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL).
  • Suhas S IAS: Special Secretary to the Electronics and Information Technology Department, will continue to hold additional charge as Managing Director of the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation.
  • Abdul Nasar B IAS: Special Secretary to the Cooperation Department, has been given full additional charge as Special Secretary to the Parliamentary Affairs Department.
  • Subhash T V IAS: Previously transferred as KMSCL MD via an order dated November 2, he will continue as Special Secretary to the Agriculture Department, holding full additional charges as Director of the Social Volunteer Force (Samoohika Sannadhasena) and Chairperson of the Social Audit Society.
  • Geromic George IAS: His services have been placed at the disposal of the Ports Department for appointment as Managing Director of Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited. He will also continue to hold full additional charge as Chief Executive Officer of the Kerala Maritime Board.
  • Afsana Perween IAS: Serving as Managing Director of Milma under the Dairy Development Department, she has been given full additional charge as Director of NORKA. Meanwhile, Rajesh M., Additional Secretary on deputation from the General Administration Department, will continue as Chief Executive Officer of NORKA Roots.
  • Devidas N IAS: Transferred as Director of Employment and Training under the 2 November order, he has now been posted as Director of the Local Self-Government (Rural) Department. He will also hold full additional charges as Chief Executive Officer of LIFE Mission and Managing Director of Impact Kerala, while continuing as Labour Commissioner during the leave vacancy of Safna Nazarudeen IAS.
  • Rahul Krishna Sharma IAS: Special Commissioner of the State Goods and Services Tax (GST) Department, has been handed full additional charge as Director of Employment and Training.
  • Dr Mithun Premraj IAS: Director of Mining and Geology, has been assigned full additional charge as Executive Director of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC).
  • Apoorva Tripathi IAS: Director of the Local Self-Government (Rural) Department, has been transferred and posted as Joint Secretary and Officer on Special Duty in the Industries Department, with full additional charge as Commissioner of Food Safety.