Backward Classes Welfare Department remains gridlocked while 491 new posts approved for other sectors

KOCHI: The proposal to strengthen the State Backward Classes Welfare Department by creating 20 additional posts remains stalled within the Chief Minister’s Office. Despite being initiated on October 9, 2021, file BCDD-A1/345/2021-BCDD has circulated between various departments for five years without resolution. The administrative delay makes it increasingly unlikely that the measure will be implemented during the current ministry's term.

Despite the cabinet approving 491 posts across various other departments during nine meetings between January and March 2, the Backward Classes Welfare Department continues to face significant administrative neglect. In spite of its substantial annual budget of 950 crore, the department's expansion remains stalled. The relevant file, which had remained dormant in the office of Minister O.R. Kelu for four months, was only forwarded to the Chief Minister’s Office on February 3 following a report by Kerala Kaumudi.

The file has now remained pending for a month without the Chief Minister's review. Formal cabinet consideration is currently contingent upon the Chief Minister’s signature. To date, the document has been circulated 306 times across various official and ministerial levels without reaching a final resolution.

The file is a formal report from the Administrative Reforms Department, which falls directly under the Chief Minister’s administration, and has highlighted critical staffing shortages. While the original recommendation proposed the creation of 103 new positions and 10 district offices, only 20 posts have been approved to date. Of these authorised roles, 14 are designated as clerical positions. Despite being established in 2011, the Backward Classes Welfare Department continues to operate without clerical staff in every district, severely hindering its regional operations.

Posts approved by the Cabinet since January

Jan 7 : 20 - Police

Jan 14 : 48 - Higher Education

Jan 21 : 20 - Higher Education

Feb. 4 : 37 - Ayurveda, Drug Control

Feb. 18 : 49 - Police, Fire

Feb. 20 : 69 - Kannur Ayurveda Research Centre

Feb. 24 : 97 - Health, Audit

Feb. 28 : 52 - Police

Mar 2 : 99 - Revenue, Health, Devaswom