Monthly salary of Rs.3 lakhs; strong opposition from finance department; retired IAS officer Mini Antony may be appointed as Deputy CEO of KIIFB

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet meeting tomorrow is likely to consider the recommendation to re-appoint retired Cooperation and Cultural Affairs Departments Secretary Mini Antony with a monthly salary of Rs.3 lakh. A contract appointment is being considered for Mini Antony as Deputy CEO of KIIFB.

The appointment is being delayed due to strong opposition from the finance department. However, the Cabinet is likely to give approval. The present KIIFB CEO is former Chief Secretary KM Abraham. He is the Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister.

The Finance Department has conveyed its strong objection to the Chief Minister against the re-appointment of retired IAS and IPS officers with huge salaries. The Finance Department is of the view that such appointments are not practical in the poor financial situation. More than three dozen people have already been appointed in this way. Such appointments were also made during the first Pinarayi government. Former Chief Secretary VP Joy is the Chairman of Kerala Public Enterprises.

At the same time, former Chief Secretary SM Vijayanand is the only exception to this. When he held the posts of Chairman of the Sixth Finance Commission and CMD of the Center for Management and Development, he did not receive a single rupee as salary.