Government to introduce CMD post in water authority

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is a saying that the MD position in water authority is often a tentative one. With the intention to upend this jinx, there is a proposal in the cards to bring the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) post akin to KSRTC to the water authority. As part of this, MD Bhandari Swagat Ranveer Chand, who went abroad, transferred his full charge to Water Resources Secretary Ashok Kumar Singh. Ashok Kumar technically became the CMD after receiving the charge of MD.

In 2011-15, Ashok Kumar was the MD of the Water Authority. In later years, Kumar went on central deputation. At present, the additional promotion was given considering the excellence during his tenure as MD. It was Ashok Kumar who adopted measures to distribute salaries of contractors and contract workers in the water authority through software.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Bhandari will soon relinquish his MD post after facing unending squabbles with union workers. A decision will be taken after Bhandari returns from abroad. In that case, the post of CMD may be made permanent.

The affairs of the water authority are managed by three IAS officers that is Chairman, MD and Joint MD. The chairman can preside over the meeting of the board of directors. The day-to-day affairs are looked after by the MD. In the absence of MD, a Technical Member was in charge earlier. And now, it has just been handed over to the secretary.