Thiruvananthapuram, October 5 (Daily Kiran) : The Kerala BJP has expressed skepticism regarding the necessity of establishing yet another Administrative Reforms Commission in the state. The party has urged the government, led by V.D. Satheesan, to clarify what has become of the recommendations from the previous commission before allocating further public funds.
Kummanam Rajasekharan, a member of the BJP’s national executive, stated on Monday that the government should reconsider its decision to form the fifth Administrative Reforms Commission. The commission will be chaired by IUML leader M.K. Muneer, who has been granted cabinet minister status. The official establishment of the commission occurred on October 1 through a government order.
Rajasekharan recalled that the fourth Administrative Reforms Commission was formed in August 2016 during the first Pinarayi Vijayan administration, with former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan serving as its chair. This commission submitted 13 reports before the end of its term.
According to figures presented in the assembly by then-Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the state government had spent ₹10.79 crore on this commission by April 30, 2021.
The Kerala Development Report 2026 indicates that out of the 13 reports, five have been approved and implemented, while the remaining are still under consideration. A committee chaired by the chief secretary was also established to review these recommendations.
Rajasekharan has now demanded that the government publicly disclose the current status of each recommendation. He also questioned the results achieved from the funds expended on the previous commission.
He pointed out that since the Administrative Reforms Department already has mechanisms in place for reviewing proposals related to reforms, there seems to be no need for another commission.
“Then there will be a chairperson, cabinet rank, staff, office, vehicle, travel allowances, and more public money spent,” he remarked, raising concerns about the financial burden the new commission may impose on the state.
Rajasekharan has called for transparency regarding the total costs associated with the commission, including the chairperson’s salary, allowances, personal staff, office facilities, vehicles, and travel expenses.
“The real question is not how many commissions have been formed, but what changes have been brought about in governance as a result of these commissions,” he emphasized.
The decision to grant M.K. Muneer cabinet minister status has sparked political controversy within the ruling UDF as well. UDF convener Adoor Prakash has expressed dissatisfaction that he was not consulted before this decision was made.
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