Curse lifted for file that was roaming for five years; 10 more posts in the Backward Classes Welfare Department

KOCHI: The five-year-long uncertainty regarding the allocation of new posts in the Kerala Backward Classes Welfare Department has finally ended. A file that reportedly moved between official and ministerial levels 340 times was approved during the last cabinet meeting, though the final allocation was limited to 10 new posts rather than the 20 originally recommended.

Despite distributing scholarships worth crores of rupees to millions of beneficiaries and managing an annual budget of Rs 950 crore, the department has operated with only 34 employees across five offices. The recent decision will increase the staff strength to 44. Additionally, the existing Deputy Director position has been elevated to the rank of Joint Director.

The Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department (P&ARD) had initially trimmed the department's request for 103 new posts and 10 district offices down to 20. The file, which began its journey on October 9, 2021, faced significant bureaucratic resistance. In its final stages, the file remained in the office of the Minister for Backward Classes Welfare, O.R. Kelu, for four months. Following reports by Kerala Kaumudi—which highlighted that the file had not yet reached the Chief Minister’s office—it was forwarded to the Chief Minister on February 3. On March 6, instructions were issued to finalise the file with Finance Department approval. Despite the Finance Department cutting an additional four posts, the proposal was approved by the Cabinet on March 12.

Post Recommended Approved

Joint Director 1 0

Administrative Officer 1 0

Assistant Director 4 0

Clerk 14 10