THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala’s state administration is reeling from a critical shortage of top civil servants, compounded by intense bureaucratic factionalism and the extraordinary revelation that one key department is being managed almost entirely through a messaging app.
The severity of the crisis was confirmed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the Legislative Assembly on September 30, where he stated that the state is short of 78 IAS officers. This deficit necessitates assigning multiple additional charges to existing personnel, straining the administrative machinery. Further exacerbating the problem, 30 IAS officers are currently on central deputation.
One Day in Office, Rest on WhatsApp
The most startling detail to emerge is the functioning of a Directorate headed by a IAS officer who enjoys the government’s favour. Due to an alleged heavy workload, this officer reportedly attends the institutional office only one day a week. For the remaining days, the officer’s administrative duties and governance are conducted remotely via WhatsApp.
Factionalism and Infighting Worsens Slowdown
The lack of officers has led to administrative paralysis, a situation intensified by deep internal rifts. The IAS cadre in Kerala is reportedly split into two distinct factions, hindering the coordination and efficiency of the remaining officers. Sources suggest that Chief Secretary Dr. A. Jayathilak is struggling to unify the fractured bureaucracy.
The report also highlights ongoing turmoil affecting several high-profile officers:
- Prashant N IAS, an officer in the state, has been kept under suspension for several months.
- Principal Secretary Dr. B. Ashok IAS, who is perceived to be out of favour with the current dispensation, is subjected to frequent transfer orders, which he has successfully challenged and had cancelled in court multiple times.
The internal dissent and administrative instability are so pronounced that even civil servants considered close to the Chief Minister are reportedly seeking central deputation, seemingly in anticipation of a potential change in government following the 2026 Assembly elections. The combined factors of shortage, infighting, and remote governance paint a grim picture of the state’s administrative health.
