Indian Bureaucracy, Thiruvananthapuram, January 30, 2025| In an important administrative reshuffle, the Government of Kerala announced a series of portfolio reassignment in the late evening commune yesterday (29.01.2025). Several portfolios that were previously held as additional charges have now been allocated to dedicated Special Secretaries as part of the government’s strategy to streamline governance.
Among the notable changes, the post of Director of the Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Department has been upgraded, now declared equivalent to a Joint Secretary in the Senior Time Scale of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) at Level 11 in the Pay Matrix, with a salary range of ₹67,700 to ₹2,08,700. Additionally, the post of Chairman and Managing Director of the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation has also been elevated to the status of Deputy Secretary in the same Senior Time Scale of IAS.
As part of the reshuffle, officers P B Nooh and Dr. Adeela Abdulla have been appointed to independent roles accompanied by additional responsibilities. Meanwhile, senior officials such as IAS officers Puneet Kumar and Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph have been relieved of their additional charges, indicating a strategic shift in the administration’s approach to governance.
These changes impact several key departments, including Transport, Social Justice, Sports & Youth Affairs, and Agriculture, underscoring the government’s commitment to optimizing departmental management and enhancing service delivery to the public.
- Shri P B Nooh IAS (Kerala 2012), presently Chairman and Managing Director, Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited, is transferred and appointed as Special Secretary – Transport Department, Kerala, with full additional charge of the post of Chairman and Managing Director – Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation.
- Dr Adeela Abdulla IAS (Kerala 2012), presently Director, Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Department, is transferred and appointed as Special Secretary – Social Justice Department, Kerala, with full additional charge of the Women and Child Development Department. Shri Puneet Kumar IAS (Kerala 1993), presently Additional Chief Secretary, with additional charge of Department of Social Justice, Kerala, is relieved from this charge. Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph IAS (Kerala 1997), presently Principal Secretary, with additional charge of Department of Women and Child Development, Kerala, is relieved from this charge.
- Shri Abdul Nasar B IAS (Kerala 2012), presently Director of Fisheries, is transferred and appointed as Special Secretary – Sports & Youth Affairs Department, Kerala, with full additional charge of Special Secretary – Minority Welfare Department and Director of Fisheries. Shri Mohammed Hanish APM IAS (Kerala 1996) , presently Principal Secretary, with additional charge of Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, Kerala and Minority Welfare, Kerala, is relieved from these charges.
- Dr Sriram V IAS (Kerala 2013), presently Joint Secretary & Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Finance (Resources) Department, is transferred and appointed as Director – Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Department, Kerala, against the ex-cadre post created, which is declared equivalent in status and responsibility to the cadre post of Joint Secretary to Government in the Senior Time Scale of IAS, in Level 11 in the Pay Matrix. He will continue to hold the additional charge of Managing Director – Kerala Financial Corporation till the end of the current financial year.
- Shri Shibu A IAS (Kerala 2015), presently Additional Secretary – Public Works Department, will hold the full additional charge of Managing Director – Kerala State Pottery Manufacturing Marketing and Welfare Development Corporation.
- Shri Sudhir K IAS (Kerala 2018), presently Director of Collegiate Education, will hold the full additional charge of Director – Minority Welfare Department.
- Dr Aswathy Srinivas IAS (Kerala 2020), presently District Development Commissioner, Ernakulam, appointment as Chairperson and Managing Director – Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation. The post is declared equivalent in status and responsibilities to the cadre post of Deputy Secretary to Government in the Senior Time Scale of IAS in Level 11 of the Pay Matrix, with full additional charge of District Development Commissioner – Ernakulam, Managing Director – Vyttila Mobility Hub Society, and Managing Director – Kerala State Construction Corporation Limited.
- Shri Mohd Shafiq IAS (Kerala 2020), presently Deputy Secretary & Director – Programme Implementation, Evaluation and Monitoring Department, with additional charge of Managing Director – Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation (KTDFC), is relieved of the additional charge of MD – KTDFC and given full additional charge of Commissioner – Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, as he relieves Shri Mukund Takur IAS on inter-cadre transfer. Dr K Vasuki IAS (Kerala 2008), presently Secretary, with additional charge of Department of Transport, Kerala, is relieved from this charge.
IndianBureaucracy.com wishes all the officers the very best.
