Government may freeze IAS reshuffle after ministers object

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government is reportedly considering freezing the recent large-scale transfer order involving 15 IAS officers, including six district collectors, after several ministers raised objections over not being informed in advance. The reshuffle, the first major bureaucratic transfer carried out by the government led by Chief Minister V D Satheesan, was ordered by the Chief Secretary after reportedly informing the Chief Minister over the phone while he was in Delhi.

New collectors were appointed in Kollam, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Kannur and Alappuzha districts. The order, issued on Saturday evening, directed the officers to assume charge in their new districts by Monday morning.

However, the move triggered protests from several ministers. As per the rules, the Revenue Minister’s approval is required while transferring district collectors. But Revenue Minister A P Anil Kumar was reportedly not informed. Industry Minister P K Kunhalikutty and Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph also allegedly came to know about appointments in their departments only after the order was issued. Minister Shibu Baby John too reportedly objected to the appointment of an officer considered “unfavourable” as the new Kollam district collector.

There has also been criticism from alliance leaders over the appointment of former Chief Electoral Officer Dr Rathan U Kelkar as the Chief Minister’s private secretary. Kelkar had earlier led the SIR voter list revision process and rejected several demands raised by the UDF.

Key transfers

• Transport Secretary P.B. Nooh has been shifted as GST Commissioner, while GST Commissioner Patil Ajit Bhagavat Rao has been posted as Resource Secretary in the Finance Department. No new Transport Secretary has been appointed yet.
• P. Vishnuraj, who was serving as Director in the Industries Department, has been appointed Kannur Collector. Former Kannur Collector Arun K. Vijayan has been transferred as Industries Director.
• A. Nizamudeen, former KILA Director, has been appointed Pathanamthitta Collector. Former Kollam Collector N. Devidas has been named the new KILA Director. Former Pathanamthitta Collector S. Premkrishnan has been shifted as Joint Secretary in the Health and Family Welfare Department.
• Anie Jula Thomas, who served as Joint Secretary in the Industries Department, has been appointed Kollam Collector.
• K. Sudheer, former Director of Collegiate Education, has been appointed Palakkad Collector.
• M.S. Madhavikutty, former Palakkad Collector, has been transferred as Kozhikode Collector. Former Kozhikode Collector Snehil Kumar has been appointed Director of Collegiate Education.
• Shaji V. Nair, CEO of Kochi Smart Mission, has been appointed Alappuzha Collector. Former Alappuzha Collector K. Inbasekhar has been posted as Managing Director of the Water Authority.
• Arun S. Nair, Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, has been appointed CEO of Kochi Smart Mission.
• Alappuzha Sub Collector Sameer Kishan has been transferred as Deputy Secretary in the Industries Department.