THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – In a move that continues to bypass standard age protocols for Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), the Kerala State Cabinet has approved a further extension for retired IAS officer P.I. Sheikh Pareeth. He will continue to serve as the Managing Director (MD) of the Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (KSCADC).
The decision, finalized in a recent cabinet meeting, extends Sheikh Pareeth’s tenure for one more year. The veteran officer, who has been at the helm of the corporation since 2018 following his retirement from active civil service.
Relaxing the Rules
Under current government guidelines, the maximum age limit for serving as a Managing Director of a PSU is generally set at 65 years. However, Sheikh Pareeth, who is now 67, has been granted a special exemption. The government justified the relaxation by citing his “indispensable” role in overseeing several critical, time-bound projects currently being undertaken by the KSCADC.
The extension was granted following a request from the officer himself, supported by Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian. The rationale provided was that a change in leadership at this juncture could potentially stall ongoing modernization projects in the coastal and fisheries sectors.
