THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an unusual move, state government has requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) to allow IAS officer Sanjay Kaul to retain his existing portfolios in the government though he took over as the new chief electoral officer (CEO), the representative of ECI in Kerala.
The government had submitted a list of two officers to ECI to choose the successor of Teeka Ram Meena who was repatriated to the government by ECI. Government had forwarded the names of secretary (finance expenditure) Sanjay Kaul and additional chief secretary (forests and wildlife) Rajesh Kumar Sinha. ECI chose Kaul, who was the additional CEO during the previous assembly elections and had played a significant role in conducting elections.
However, in the order appointing Kaul as CEO, the government had said that he will continue to hold the posts of secretary (finance expenditure) and CMD of Kerala Finance Corporation, subject to ECI approval.
Appointing an officer as CEO would mean that he is then on deputation to ECI, leaving the state cadre. However, in the case of Kaul, the state’s move, requesting him to retain his posts in the state government, is because of the extreme shortage of officers in the rank of secretary to hold all existing portfolios, it is learnt.
In the past, former CEO Nalini Netto had played a similar, dual role, under another set of circumstances. Netto – who had put in 12 years of service as the CEO – had requested ECI to repatriate her to the home cadre, when the government wanted her back in service as the additional chief secretary (home and vigilance). ECI had asked her to continue as the CEO till a new CEO was found and appointed. The government had appointed her as ACS (home and vigilance) with the additional charge of CEO. She was subsequently replaced by EK Majhi as CEO.
Kerala is short on officers, especially in the rank of secretary. IAS officers from the batches 1997 to 2003 are presently in the secretary grade, in which there are only 10 officers now. While there are only 10 secretary-ranking officers, there are only 12 officers in the ranks of principal secretary, who together are holding charges of portfolios that are more than thrice their total number. On an average, every officer with the rank of principal secretary or secretary grade is holding two to three additional charges in state.
“It is under these circumstances that government has requested ECI to allow Kaul to retain his portfolios in the government. Though there is a conflict of interest with respect to holding twin duties, the government is hopeful that ECI will grant the state’s request as there are no elections in the near future,” said a senior official.
