THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Arif Mohammad Khan has sent a report to the central government stating that he has vacated the position of patron of the state child welfare committee. The Union Ministry of Social Justice had recommended to the Governor to vacate the post of patron citing financial irregularities. With this, the governor informed the government that he was resigning.

The governor had expressed his displeasure to the chief secretary that his picture and name were not removed from the committee's website despite his resignation. This has also been clarified in the letter sent to the Centre. Although the governor's picture and information have been removed, the government has informed the governor that a bylaw amendment will be required to remove his status. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is the President of the Executive Committee. Minister Veena George is the Vice President.

The Governor has been the Patron, the Chief Minister the President and the Minister of Social Justice the Vice President since the establishment of the child welfare committee in 1964. The Executive Committee including the General Secretary elected by the Life Members in the General Meeting is responsible for governance. Although the Governor is the patron, he has no control over the administration. The governor has stated that many serious complaints have been raised about the committee and he will ask the state government to investigate them.