Change of name in Public Administration Department: Political section renamed to 'Protocol'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Secretary V Venu has issued an order renaming the Political Section of the Public Administration Department as Protocol. The name change is based on the nature of the work handled by the section.

The Protocol section handles matters related to visits of high dignitaries, state guests, and foreign VIPs, protocol etiquette, matters related to Independence/Republic Day celebrations, oath-taking of ministers, departmental divisions, and the death of prominent individuals.

Additionally, the section oversees government guest houses in Kerala, KTDC Chennai (only for official visits), the reservations in Kerala Houses in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kanyakumari, Kerala Raj Bhavan, and the New Delhi Resident Commissioner's Office. The section also handles matters related to foreign consulates in Kerala.

Other major sections in the Public Administration Department:

• Chief Secretary's Office - Handles matters related to the appointment of High Court judges, monitoring and follow-up of Cabinet decisions, maintenance of IAS, IPS, and IFS annual confidential reports, promotions, and recommendations for Padma Awards.
• Secret Section - Deals with Jeevan Raksha Padak awards, conducts UPSC and SSC exams, etc.
• Special A - Handles matters related to IAS officers
• Special C - Handles matters related to IFS and IPS officers
• Chief Secretary's Petition Cell - Handle government-related petitions from the offices of the President and Prime Minister.
• Employment Cell - Special recruitment for the SC/ST category
• Compassionate Employment Cell - Compassionate appointment
• Accounts - Handles salary matters of ministers, opposition leader, and their personal staff
• Public Relations - Provides information about government policies, programs, projects, initiatives, and achievements to the public and media.