Thiruvananthapuram: A major reshuffle of senior IAS officers handling various departments in the state government, was carried out where Dr K Vasuki was appointed as in-charge of the Transport Department replacing Biju Prabhakar who was removed from the post of Transport Secretary and KSRTC CMD. He was transferred to the Industries Department as Secretary of Industries (Mining & Geology, Plantation, Coir, Handloom & Cashew) Department. He will also hold the full additional charges of Transport (Railways, Metro and Aviation), besides serving as Commissioner to the Guruvayoor and Koodal Manickam Devaswoms.
It was understood that, Biju Prabhakar was transferred from the post he was holding based on the letter he sent to the Chief Secretary Dr. V Venu requesting to remove him from the post of Transport Secretary. This move of Biju Prabhakar was believed to be due to the disagreements with the newly appointed Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar.
A government order issued on Monday evening stated that Labor Commissioner Dr K Vasuki will replace Biju Prabhakar as Secretary of Transport Department. The Transport Secretary post has been given as an additional charge for Vasuki, who will also hold the post of Secretary, Labour and Skills Department and Director, Lok Kerala Sabha.
Biju Prabhakar was a key advocate of introducing e-buses and circular services in Trivandrum. Ganesh Kumar who took over as the Transport Minister after Antony Raju had a different take on e-buses and stated that e-buses were not profitable. This had created a difference in opinion between Biju Prabhakar and Minister Ganesh Kumar.
Saurabh Jain, Secretary, Labour and Skills Department, will be posted as Secretary, Power Department. The officer will also hold the full additional charge of Sainik Welfare Department. Arjun Pandian will be the new Labour Commissioner. The officer will hold the full additional charge of Staff Officer to Chief Secretary.
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