THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Public Administration Department has appointed seven more persons to the personal staff of the Chief Minister.
Political secretary Puthalath Dineshan, press adviser Prabha Varma, press secretary PM Manoj, personal assistant PA Basheer, clerk EV Priyesh, office assistant Abhijit P, Ismail P and Driver have been appointed as permanent personal staff. The number of personal staff members has been increased to 37 by amending the Cabinet Act

The action is for the payment of pension on retirement. The appointment is with retroactive effect. With this, the number of members in the Chief Minister's personal staff has increased to 37. Those who have been members of the personal staff of ministers for more than two years are entitled to a future pension under the Act. All the appointees except the press secretary will be eligible for pension.