The Kerala government has announced a fresh reshuffle of IAS officers, appointing Dr S Karthikeyan as Excise Commissioner with full additional charge. He replaces Seeram Sambasiva Rao, who was removed from the post following the controversy surrounding the bar licence issue. The latest administrative changes also revise several appointments made during the November 2 reshuffle, reallocating additional responsibilities across key government departments and public sector organisations.
According to the order issued by Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha, Karthikeyan, who is currently serving as Special Secretary, Water Resources, will also hold full additional charge as Special Secretary, Housing, alongside his new responsibility as Excise Commissioner.
In another significant change, Balamurali D, Special Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies, has been assigned additional charge as Managing Director of the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KMSCL). Subhash T V, who was earlier appointed KMSCL Managing Director in the November 2 reshuffle, will continue as Special Secretary, Agriculture. He will also hold additional charge as Director of Samoohika Sannadhasena and Chairperson of the Social Audit Society.
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Kerala Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao Transferred Amid Bar Licence ControversyDevidas N, previously Director of Employment and Training, has been appointed Director, Local Self Government Department (Rural). He will additionally serve as CEO of LIFE Mission and Managing Director of IMPACT Kerala, while continuing as Labour Commissioner in the leave vacancy of Safna Nazarudeen. Apurva Tripathi, who previously held the rural LSGD director’s position, has been transferred as Joint Secretary and Officer on Special Duty in the Industries Department, with additional charge as Commissioner of Food Safety.
The reshuffle also assigns Geromic George as Managing Director of Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd, while retaining his responsibility as CEO of the Kerala Maritime Board. MILMA Managing Director Afsana Perween will take additional charge as Director of NORKA, while Rajesh M will continue as CEO of NORKA Roots.
Other appointments include Transport Principal Secretary Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph as CMD of Kerala Transport Development Finance Corporation, KSEB CMD Prasanth N as Special Secretary for Zoos, Museums, Archaeology and Archives, and LSGD Secretary M G Rajamanickam as Executive Director of Information Kerala Mission.
The latest IAS reshuffle redistributes administrative responsibilities across Kerala’s excise, health, agriculture, transport and infrastructure sectors.
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