The Kerala government has carried out a major reshuffle of senior IAS officers, appointing new district collectors in six districts and reassigning several officers to key administrative positions across departments including Industries, Finance, Water Resources, Education and Local Self Government.
The reshuffle is aimed at strengthening governance and improving administrative coordination across the state.
Arun K Vijayan Appointed Industries Director
Kannur District Collector Arun K Vijayan has been transferred and posted as Director of the Industries Department. He will also hold the additional charge of Managing Director of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC).
Arun K Vijayan had recently drawn public attention during the controversy surrounding the farewell meeting of late Kannur Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu.
Meanwhile, Vishnuraj P, who was serving as Director of Industries, has now been appointed as the new District Collector of Kannur.
Major Changes in Finance and GST Departments
Senior IAS officer Patil Ajit Bhagwatrao, who was serving as Commissioner of the Kerala State Goods and Services Tax Department, has been transferred as Secretary, Finance (Resources) Department.
At the same time, P B Nooh, Special Secretary in the Transport Department, has been appointed as Commissioner of the GST Department.
New Appointments in Alappuzha and Kollam
Alappuzha District Collector Inbasekar K has been placed at the disposal of the Water Resources Department for appointment as Managing Director of the Kerala Water Authority.
He will also continue to hold additional charge as Joint Project Director of the Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernisation Project (KERA).
Shaji V Nair, Chief Executive Officer of Cochin Smart Mission Ltd, has been appointed as the new District Collector of Alappuzha.
In another key change, Kollam District Collector Devidas N has been transferred to the Local Self Government Department and will also serve as Director of the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA).
Anie Jula Thomas, currently serving as Joint Secretary and Officer on Special Duty in the Industries Department, has been appointed as the new District Collector of Kollam.
Kozhikode, Palakkad and Pathanamthitta Get New Collectors
Kozhikode District Collector Snehal Kumar Singh has been transferred as Director of Collegiate Education and will additionally hold charge as Commissioner for Entrance Examinations.
Madhavikutty M S, who was serving as Palakkad Collector, has been posted as the new Kozhikode District Collector.
Meanwhile, Sudhir K, Director of Collegiate Education, has been appointed as Palakkad District Collector.
In Pathanamthitta, District Collector Prem Krishnan S has been transferred as Joint Secretary and Officer on Special Duty in the Health and Family Welfare Department.
Nizamudeen A, Director of KILA, has been appointed as the new District Collector of Pathanamthitta.
Arun S Nair and Sameer Kishan Given New Responsibilities
Arun S Nair, Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, has been transferred as Director of the Social Justice Department.
He will also hold additional charges as:
- Executive Director of Kerala Social Security Mission Ltd
- CEO of Cochin Smart Mission Ltd
- CEO of Kochi Metropolitan Transport Authority
Officials said he has been relieved from all other responsibilities.
Meanwhile, Sameer Kishan, Sub Collector of Alappuzha, has been appointed Deputy Secretary and Officer on Special Duty in the Industries Department.
He will also hold additional charge as Director of the Coir Development Department.
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Newly Appointed Collectors Asked to Join Immediately
The Kerala government has directed all officers newly appointed as District Collectors to assume charge in their respective districts on May 25 without availing joining time.
The reshuffle is being seen as a significant administrative exercise aimed at bringing fresh leadership to district administration and key government departments across Kerala.