Thiruvananthapuram, 17 July (H.S.):The Kerala government has carried out a major reshuffle of senior IAS officers, reassigning portfolios and entrusting several officials with additional responsibilities across key departments. The changes, notified through an order issued by the General Administration (AIS-A) Department on July 16, are aimed at strengthening administrative coordination and ensuring continuity in governance.

Among the significant changes, Resident Commissioner at Kerala House in New Delhi, Puneet Kumar, has been given additional charge of all inter-state water matters in the Water Resources Department. Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Vigilance) Minhaj Alam has been assigned the Industries (Coir) Department in addition to his existing responsibilities, while being relieved of the Sports & Youth Affairs, Zoos, Museum, Archaeology and Archives departments.

Prasanth N has been posted as Special Secretary with independent charge of the Sports & Youth Affairs, Zoos, Museum, Archaeology and Archives departments. Principal Secretary (Health & Family Welfare) Dr Sharmila Mary Joseph has also been entrusted with additional charge of the Ayush Department.

Special Secretary (Water Resources) Suhas S has been assigned additional responsibilities as Special Secretary, Housing Department, and Managing Director of the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIIDC). Inbasekar K has been shifted from Kerala Water Authority to the newly created ex-cadre post of Director, Cultural Affairs, while also taking additional charge as Registrar of Co-operative Societies and Additional Project Director of the KERA project.

Director of Agriculture Dr Sriram V has been given additional charge as Managing Director of the Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE). Prem Krishnan S has been transferred as Joint Secretary in the Water Resources Department and will additionally head the Kerala Water Authority as its Managing Director.

The reshuffle also assigns new roles to Alex Varghese, D Dharmalashri, Hima K, Sufiyan Ahmed and Apurva Tripathi, while Suraj Shaji has been relieved of his Urban Affairs and Coastal Protection assignments but will continue as Mission Director of AMRUT. The government said the changes take effect immediately.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman