Government of Kerala
The Government of Kerala is the administrative body responsible for governing the Indian state of Kerala. The government is led by a chief minister, who selects the ministers of the state. The chief minister and their ministers belong to the supreme decision-making committee known as the cabinet. Legislative, Executive and Judiciary are the three branches of Kerala Government.
Legislative Branch of Kerala Government
The state legislature consists of the Governor and the Legislative Assembly. The articles dealing with the composition, tenure, procedures, powers, etc. of the state legislature are Articles 168 to 212 of Part VI of the Constitution. Kerala has a unicameral legislature. Here the legislative procedure is very simple. Every bill originates in the legislative assembly, duly passed by it and then sent to the Governor for his assent.
Governor
The legislative system of the state is a combination of the Governor and the Legislative Assembly. The Governor is the head of the state administration and the representative of the center. However, he is obliged to follow the recommendations of the cabinet. The Governor has discretionary powers only in some matters. The Governor convenes the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of the cabinet. He also dissolves the Assembly. The Governor convenes the Legislative Assembly in session under Article 174 of the Constitution. The Assembly must meet at least once in six months. The Governor also has the right to address the House under Articles 175 and 176. The Governor's speech is known as the 'Policy Statement'. If the state is under President's rule, the governor has the executive power. The president appoints the governors.
Legislative Assembly
The State Legislative Assembly is the representative body of the people that bears the sole responsibility of making laws in the state. The Constitution of India deals with the legislature in sections 168 onwards. The state legislature is composed of the governor of the state and the legislative assembly. The members of the state legislature are elected by the people of each state through direct voting. The legislatures, which are described as the sanctum sanctorum and touchstone of democracy, have great importance in a democratic country. Their objectives and duties are extremely crucial. Laws and precedents regulate and influence their functioning. In our country, which has a democratic government and parliamentary system, the Kerala Legislative Assembly stands tall with exemplary activities. A member of the legislature is called a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). The number of members of the legislature is determined in proportion to the population of the state. The legislature has four important functions. Making laws for the state, fulfilling financial responsibilities, performing judicial duties, and controlling the administration, etc. The Legislative Assembly consists of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Protem Speaker, Presiding Officer, Chief Minister (Leader of the Assembly), Leader of the Opposition, Party Leaders, Assembly Secretary, Members of the Assembly and House Officers. Each section has its own duties, rights and protections.
Executive Branch of Kerala Government
State Executive consists of Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers and Advocate General. Articles 153 to 167 of Part IV deal with the State Executive Branch. State Executive is divided into two as Political Executives and Permanent Executives. The non-official branch that heads the executive branch is called the Political Executive Branch. The Political Executives are elected through elections. The Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers are Political Executives. The officials who assist the Political Executives are called the Permanent Executives. They remain in office until they reach the age of retirement. The Permanent Executives is selected through competitive examinations. The employees of permanent executive range from the last grade employee to the highest serving IAS and IPS.
Governor
The Governor is the constitutional head of the state. Articles 153 to 162 of the Constitution of India deal with the Governor. The Governor has powers and duties similar to those of the President at the central level. The official residence of the Governor of Kerala is the Raj Bhavan. Raj Bhavan is located in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram.
Chief Minister
The chief minister is the real executive and is the head of the government of a state. The position of the chief minister at the state level is analogous to the position of the prime minister at the centre. He can any time recommend the governor for the dissolution of the state legislative assembly. He announces the government policies on legislative assembly. The office of Chief Minister and Council of ministers are located at Secretariat.
Council of Ministers
There shall be a council of ministers with the chief minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions. The state council of ministers formulates the policies for state administration. Kerala Council of Ministers, are elected legislative members, who are appointed as ministers by the Kerala Governor to form the executive branch of the state government. Each Secretariat department is headed by a Minister from Council of Ministers. On the Chief Minister's recommendation, the Governor divides up the government's business among the ministers. The rules established by the Governor in the exercise of the authority granted by Article 166 of the Indian Constitution and the directives issued thereunder regulate economic transactions. The "Rules of business of the Government of Kerala" and "The Kerala Government Secretariat Instructions" are the names of these regulations and guidelines.
Advocate General
The Advocate General is the first law officer of a State. His office and functions are comparable to that of the Attorney General of India. He is appointed by the Governor and holds the office during his pleasure. His remunerations are also determined by the Governor. To be appointed to the office of the Advocate General, he/she must be qualified to be a Judge of the High Court. He has the right to attend and speak in the proceedings of either houses of the state legislature without any right to vote. He has the right of audience in any court in the state. He enjoys all the privileges and immunities that are available to a member of the state legislature.
Kerala Secretariat - Offices of Ministers and Secretaries of Executive Branch
Kerala Government Secretariat is the centre of State Administration. This Secretariat Building is constructed in a rich blend of Roman - Dutch architectural style, remains a giant pillar of historical significance and monumental charm. The foundation stone of the Secretariat building was laid by Ayilyam Thirunal Maharaja in 1865 to coordinate the activities of the Legislative Assembly. The Secretariat officially started functioning on 23 August 1869. Initially, the Secretariat was known by names like Hajur Kacheri and Puthen Kacheri. This building came to be known as the Government Secretariat from 25 August 1949. The State Secretariat is working in the Secretariat Building.
The Secretariat is mainly engaged in assisting the Cabinet Ministry in framing policies, plan approvals, programmes and activities for the overall development of the State. Here the operations of the secretariat are connected with legislation, introducing rules and procedure, financial control, general direction, monitoring and evaluating the activities conducted by the respective government departments. The State Secretariat includes the offices of all the members of the Cabinet headed by the Chief Minister, Ministers, Chief Secretary and the Secretaries of various ranks who head the Secretariat departments. The current number of State Secretariat departments is 44. Out of these 44 departments, 42 Secretariat departments, excluding the Finance and Law departments, are known as Administrative Departments. The steps taken by the government to increase the efficiency of administration and to provide services to the public in a timely manner are known as administrative reforms. Secretaries are the officers in charge of various departments.
Kerala Government Departments
The offices of all the members of the Cabinet headed by the Chief Minister are located in the State Secretariat. Each department functions under the State Ministers. The present number of State Secretariat departments is 44. Out of these 44 departments, 42 Secretariat departments, excluding Finance and Law, are known as Administrative Departments. The Chief Secretary acts as the chief advisor to the Chief Minister in all areas of state administration. Secretaries are the officers in charge of various departments. In each department of the Secretariat, the posts of Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, etc. are held by IAS cadre. They are assisted by Special Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Under Secretaries, Section Officers and Assistants.
Secretariat Departments
1. Agricultural Development and Farmers Welfare Department
2. Animal Husbandry Department
3. Ayush Department
4. Backward Communities Development Department
5. Co-operation Department
6. Coastal Shipping & Inland Navigation Department
7. Consumer Affairs Department
8. Cultural Affairs Department
9. Dairy Development Department
10. Electronics & Information Technology Department
11. Environment Department
13. Fisheries Department
14. Food and Civil Supplies Department
15. Forests and Wildlife Department
16. General Administration Department
17. General Education Department
18. Health & Family Welfare Department
19. Higher Education Department
20. Home Department
21. Housing Department
22. Industries and Commerce Department
23. Information and Public Relations Department
24. Labour and Skills Department
25. Law Department
26. Local Self Government Department
27. Minority Welfare Department
28. Non Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) Department
29. Parliamentary Affairs Department
30. Personnel & Administrative Reforms Department
31. Planning and Economic Affairs Department
32. Power Department
33. Public Works Department
34. Revenue Department
35. Sainik Welfare Department
36. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Development Department
37. Science & Technology Department
38. Social Justice Department
39. Sports & Youth Affairs Department
40. Stores Purchase Department
41. Taxes Department
42. Tourism Department
43. Transport Department
44. Vigilance Department
45. Water Resources Department
46. Women & Child Development Department
Secretariat Manual
The Secretariat Manual is a guideline indicating the office procedures in the Secretariat. The Secretariat Manual was issued in 1957. The Kerala Secretariat Office Manual has been formulated by combining the Office Manual of Tirukochi State and Madras State.
SECRETARIAT ORGANISATION
Public administration is the effective utilization of physical conditions and human resources to implement the existing laws, policies and development plans of the government in the state. Bureaucracy is a system designed to assist and implement the government in carrying out public administration. Officials are the ones who make the public administration network dynamic by delivering government services to the people. The officials in a government department are called as bureaucrats and they are non-elected officials. Hierarchical organization, stability, appointment based on merit, political neutrality, and expertise are the common features of the bureaucracy. The bureaucracy is the one who prepares and implements plans for the scientific utilization of the country's physical and human resources. Hierarchical organization is the system in which there is one official at the highest level and more officials as one moves down to the lower levels. The hierarchical organization of the Secretariat is as follows: Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Special Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Under Secretaries, Section Officers, Assistants and Clerical Staffs. The IAS cadre includes the posts of Secretary, Additional Secretary, Principal Secretary etc. in the Secretariat departments. They are assisted by the Special Secretaries, Additional Secretaries, Joint Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, Under Secretaries, Section Officers, Office Superintendent, Assistants, Confidential Assistants, Typists and Clerical Staffs.
Here are the list of Secretariat Officials.
1. Chief Secretary
The Chief Secretary is the highest-ranking official in the state of Kerala. The Chief Secretary is the head of the state civil service. The Chief Secretary acts as the chief advisor to the Chief Minister in all areas of state administration. He has the superintending control over the whole secretariat. He has the control over the staff attached to the Ministers. He has the duty of seeing to the proper transaction of the regular secretariat business allotted to him under the Rules of Business.
2. Secretary
The official head of each department of the Secretariat is the Secretary. He is a Secretary to the Government and not to the Minister in charge of the department. He exercises general supervision and control over the staff under him and it is his duty to ensure the prompt despatch of business in his department. He is responsible for the careful observance of rules and instructions in the transaction of business in his department.
3. Additional Chief Secretary
The Additional Chief Secretary occupies a position identical with that of a Secretary in regard to the subjects alloted to him and the Secretary is usually assisted by Deputy Secretaries and Under Secretaries.
4. Principal Secretary and Special Secretary
"Secretary" refers to both Principal Secretary and Special Secretary. They are in charge of careful observance to the Rules of Business, the guidelines in the secretariat manual, and any other instructions laid down in the transaction of business in his department. He is responsible for ensuring that the staff members carry out their assigned tasks effectively and promptly and exercises general supervision over the officers and staff members who report to him.
5. Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries
Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries occupy a position next to that of Secretary to Government. They are categorized as Head of Departments in the context of delegation of powers. They circulate files to Ministers in accordance with the procedure laid down from time to time. They exercise the same authority as the Secretary with regard to topics specially assigned to them. They must assume the same degree of responsibility as the Secretary to Government when it comes to handling confidential papers and crucial communications. But when it comes to policy issues or deviation from existing procedure or practice, they will circulate the files to ministers via the Secretary in charge of the Department.
6. Deputy Secretary
Regarding the subjects assigned to him by the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary also holds a role that is nearly equal to that of a Secretary. In these cases, he has the authority to circulate the cases for Orders of Ministers or the Governor. However, the case should be circulated only through the Secretary of the Department, when it comes to matters of policy and all other significant matters.
Directorates and Commissionerates in Kerala
Directorates are government institutions that come after the Secretariat, working under the Cabinet in the government hierarchy. After the Directorate, there are many sub-departments. The responsibility of the Directorates is to implement the policies created by the higher levels of the state administration. Directorates act as a link between various government departments and the higher administrative leadership. A Directorate can be a government department or division in Kerala. It works mainly in a specific area of public administration. The overall control and supervision of the activities of a particular area is vested in the Commissionerate. The administrative responsibility of the Commissionerate is vested in the Commissioner.
Judicial Branch of Kerala Government
The Indian judicial system is headed by the Supreme Court and the lowest level is the Munsif/Magistrate Courts. At the state level, there are High Courts, District Courts and Subordinate Courts. Article 214 stipulates that there shall be a High Court for each state. The judicial branch of a state includes a High Court and a series of subordinate courts. High Courts are positioned between the Supreme Court and the subordinate courts. The High Courts hold the highest position in the judicial administration of a state. The High Courts exercise the supervisory and control functions of the district courts and the subordinate courts. The District Courts decide disputes arising within a district. The District Courts decide serious criminal offences and the Subordinate Courts decide disputes of a civil and criminal nature. Appeals from the subordinate courts are heard by the District Courts and the High Courts. Subordinate courts/lower courts are the courts that administer justice at the district level and below. The subordinate courts include district courts, sub courts, munsif courts, and magistrate courts.
High Court
The High Courts are the principal civil courts of original jurisdiction in the state along with District courts which are subordinate to the High Courts. Article 214 provides that there shall be a High Court for every State. However, Parliament has the power to establish a common High Court for two or more States and a Union Territory by law. At present there are 25 High Courts. Articles 214 to 231 of the Constitution deal with the establishment, organisation etc. of the High Court. A High Court consists of a Chief Justice and judges. Judges in a High Court are appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Chief Justice and the Governor of the State. The High court of india act as the court of original jurisdiction and the court of Appellate jurisdiction at the same time. The High Court of India have the power of superintendence over all the lower courts of a state except the Military Tribunals. As the head of the judiciary in the state, the High Court has got administrative control over the subordinate in the state.
Subordinate Courts
In every state besides the High Court there are number of judicial courts to administer justice. These courts function under the complete control and supervision of the High Court. There are two types of subordinate courts in every district - civil and criminal courts.
Civil Courts
The court of the district judges is the highest civil court in a district. It exercises both judicial and administrative powers. The court of the district judge is located at the district headquarters. Below the court of the District Judge are the courts of sub judge, Additional sub judge and Munsif Courts. Most of the civil cases are filed in the court of the Munsif. The court of the District Judge has both original and appellate jurisdiction.
Criminal Courts
Under criminal courts, there are courts of the District and Sessions Judge, Additional Sessions Judges, Assistant Session Judge and the courts of the first class magistrates. The district and session judge may pass any legal sentence but a death sentence is subject to confirmation by the High Court. An Assistant - Session Judge has the power to sentence a person to ten years imprisonment. A first class Magistrate may pass a sentence of imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding one thousand ruppees. Besides this there are courts of second class and third class Magistrates also.
Revenue Courts
The Board of Revenue is at the apex of all the revenue courts. Under the Board of Revenue are the Commissioner's Court, Court of Tahsildar and Nayab Tahsildar. Each district has separate courts for its land revenue system. Every dispute related with land revenue first comes before the Court of Tahsildar. The Board of revenue hears the final appeals against all the lower revenue courts under it. For providing speedy and economical justice of the poor and the downtrodden, Legal Aid, Lok Adalat and Public Interest Litigation have been introduced in the country.
Administrative Tribunals
According to the provision of Article 323 (A), the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 was enacted by the Parliament. The tribunals adjudicate disputes and complaints relating to recruitment and condition of service of persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with affairs of the Union and the State. A tribunal can be checked by a High Court for exceeding its jurisdiction or if its order is contrary to natural justice. Part XIV - A (14A) and Articles 323 A and 323 B were inserted into the Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976. Article 323 A deals with Administrative Tribunals and Article 323 B deals with Tribunals for other purposes. Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies empowered with judicial powers to deal with various disputes. Administrative Tribunals are established to resolve disputes relating to the appointment and conditions of service of persons appointed to the public services of the Centre, States, local bodies, public corporations and other public authorities. Article 323 B empowers the Parliament and the State Legislatures to establish Tribunals to resolve disputes relating mainly to the following matters: Rights relating to taxation, foreign exchange, import, export, industrial labour sector, land reforms, urban land acquisition, elections to Parliament and Legislative Assembly, food resources, and rent/lease. The Tribunals in Kerala are as follows.
■ Kerala Administrative Tribunal
Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) is situated at Thiruvananthapuram. It is established on 22nd December 2011. Its Chairman is Justice K. Balakrishnan Nair. Kerala Administrative Tribunal consists of three judicial members including the chairman, and three non judicial members. Of the three benches, two will be based in Trivandrum and one in Kochi. The trivandrum benches will handle the cases from south kerala and kochi bench will handle the cases from north Kerala. It deals all the service related cases of State Government employees.
■ GST Appellate Tribunal Kerala
■ Kerala Agricultural Income Tax and Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal
■ University Appellate Tribunal for Kerala
■ Tribunal For Local Self Government Institutions
■ Munnar Special Tribunal
■ Kerala Industrial Tribunals
Family Courts
The family courts have been established under the Family Courts Act 1984. Family Courts aim at promoting conciliation in and securing speedy settlement of disputes relating to marriage and family affairs. Appeals against the orders of the family courts can be made to the High Court. Under Article 136 of the constitution appeals can be presented in the Supreme Court also.
Government Offices
Administrative Divisions of Kerala
For the convenience of administration in Kerala, the state is divided into districts, revenue divisions, taluks and villages. There are 14 districts in Kerala. The district is supervised by the District Collector. The officer in charge of the revenue divisions in the districts is the Sub-Collector/RDO. As part of decentralization, the districts are divided into taluks and taluks into villages. These function under the Revenue Department. The Tahsildar is the head of the taluk. The Village Officer is the highest authority of the village.
Kerala Administrative Offices
■ District Collectorates
There are 14 districts in Kerala. Each district is headed by a District Collector of the IAS cadre. The Collectorate plays a crucial role in the district administration. The District Collector also acts as the District Magistrate for maintaining law and order in the district. Apart from various revenue matters, the Collector also handles planning, development, project implementation, law and order, public transport, public health, disaster management, elections and census. The District Collector is assisted in the discharge of his duties by Deputy Collectors and District Heads of various departments.
■ Revenue Divisional Office, RDO
For the convenience of administration in Kerala, the state is divided into districts, revenue divisions, taluks and villages. A revenue division operates below the district and includes several taluks under its administrative jurisdiction. There are 27 RDOs in Kerala. The officer in charge of the revenue divisions in the districts is the Sub-Collector/Revenue Divisional Officer. As part of decentralization, districts have been divided into taluks and taluks into villages. These operate under the Revenue Department.
■ Taluk Offices
As part of decentralization, districts have been divided into taluks and taluks into villages. There are 78 taluks in Kerala. These function under the Revenue Department. The Tahsildar is the head of the taluk. The Tahsildar also functions as the Executive Magistrate.
■ Village Offices
There are 1670 villages in Kerala. They operate under the Revenue Department. The Village Officer is the highest authority of the village. The main responsibilities of the Village Officer are the protection of government land and resources, collection of land tax, and maintenance of land records.
■ Local Self-Government Institutions
Local self-government institutions function with the objectives of decentralization and people-centered planning. Rural areas are divided into three-tier panchayats and urban areas are divided into municipalities or corporations. Local self-government institutions are divided into wards and the governing bodies are formed through elections held once every five years on the basis of adult suffrage. Grama Panchayats (941), Block Panchayats (152), District Panchayats (14), Municipalities (87) and Municipal Corporations (6) are the local self government institutions in kerala.
■ Electoral Constituencies
Elections are generally held for Parliament, State assembly and regional municipalities and panchayats. Lok Sabha constituencies and Legislative assembly constituencies are the Electoral Constituencies in Kerala. Elections are conducted in these constituencies for electing Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Kerala Legislative Assembly and Member of Parliament (MP) for Lok Sabha. There are 140 Lok Sabha constituencies and 20 Legislative assembly constituencies in Kerala.
Commissions in Kerala
■ Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC)
The responsibility of the Administrative Reforms Commission is to identify areas where reforms are needed in public administration and to make recommendations to the government. Four Administrative Reforms Commissions have been appointed since the formation of the State of Kerala in 1956.
■ Kerala State Election Commission (SEC)
The Kerala State Election Commission is a constitutional body. The State Election Commission is mentioned as part of Article 243 of the Constitution. According to Article 243K, the State Election Commission is responsible for preparing the electoral roll for Panchayat elections and conducting elections. According to Article 243ZA, the State Election Commission is responsible for preparing the electoral roll for Municipality elections and conducting elections. The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor. The State Election Commission came into existence in Kerala on 3 December 1993.
■ Kerala State Finance Commission
The State Finance Commission is a constitutional body. Article 243I of the Constitution directs the Governor to appoint a State Finance Commission every five years. The main functions of the State Finance Commission are to review the financial position of the local self-government bodies and to prepare recommendations for the distribution of resources between the State Government and the local self-government bodies. Panchayats as per Article 243I and Municipal Councils as per Article 243Y come under the purview of the State Finance Commission. The State Finance Commission was formed under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which came into effect in 1992. The first Finance Commission came into existence on 23 April 1994.
■ Kerala Public Service Commission
The Kerala Public Service Commission is a constitutional body. The Travancore Cochin Public Service Commission, established in 1949, became the Kerala Public Service Commission in 1956. Articles 315 to 323 of the Constitution deal with Public Service Commissions. The Governor has the power to appoint members to the State Public Service Commission. The term of chairman and members of office is six years or up to the age of 62 years.
■ Kerala State Information Commission (SIC)
The Kerala State Information Commission was notified on 19 December 2005 under the Right to Information Act, 2005. In addition to the State Chief Information Commissioner, there are five State Information Commissioners. The Governor has the power to appoint them.
■ Kerala State Human Rights Commission
It was established on 11th December 1998. It is Constituted as per the Section 21 of the Protection of the Human Rights Act, 1993. The Commission enquiries all sorts of human atrocities mentioned in the Protection of Human Rights Act. Its Head Quarters is Thiruvananthapuram.
■ Kerala Women's Commission
Its headquarters is in Trivandrum. It is constituted as per the section 17 of Kerala Womens Commission Act, 1990. Kerala Women's Commission formed for the improvement of women status and to enquire into unfair practices affecting women.
■ Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission
Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission is a quasi - judicial body. It was constituted as per the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998. Its mission is to encourage competition, efficiency and financial system in the Power sector, to control the ppp method of the distribution licensees for auction, distribution and deliver of power and to decide the tariff for power generation, transmission and current supply for wholesale, bulk or retail.
■ Kerala State Youth Commission
The objectives of the Kerala State Youth Commission are to protect the rights, education and empowerment of the youth. The Kerala State Youth Commission Act was notified on 13 February 2014. The term of the Chairperson of the Youth Commission is three years. In addition to the Chairperson, the Commission can have up to 13 members.
■ Kerala State Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Commission
The Kerala State Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Commission is constituted by the Kerala Government according to the Kerala State Commission for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes Act, 2007. The Commission address the problems of scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes communities in Kerala. The commission has a chairperson, two members and a secretary belonging to SC/ST having special knowledge in matters relating to scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes. They are appointed by the government.
■ Kerala State Child Rights Commission
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights was established on 3 June 2013 under the provisions of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act 2005 and the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Rules 2012. It has a chairperson and six members. The objective of the Commission is protecting the rights of children, promoting their best interests and the proper implementation of laws and programmes for children.
■ Kerala State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC)
It is statutory Commission constituted under the Kerala State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) Act 1993 (Act 11). The Commission consists of a Chairman who is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court appointed by the Government. Commission is to examine the requests for insertion of any group of citizens as backward classes in the lists. An amendment was made to the Act in 2000.
■ Kerala State Commission for Minorities
The Kerala State Minorities Commission was formed in 2013 under a special resolution. The Kerala Minorities Act - 2014 came into force on 15 May 2013. Its objectives are education, social security and empowerment of minority communities. It has powers equivalent to a civil court. It has a chairman and two members. Their term is three years.
■ Kerala State Commission for Economically Backward Classes among Forward Communities (KSCEBCFC)
The Kerala State Commission for Economically Backward Classes among Forward Communities is a statutory commission constituted by the Kerala Government according to the Kerala State Commission for Economically Backward Classes among Forward Communities Act , 2015. The Commission address the problems of economically backward classes among forward communities in Kerala. The commission has a chairperson who has been a former Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court and two members belonging to forward community having special knowledge in matters relating to forward community. They are appointed by the government.
■ Kerala State Farmers Debt Relief Commission
Its headquarters is at Anayara, Trivandrum. It was established in 2007. Commission was formed according to the Kerala State Farmer's Debt Relief Commission Act 2006. Commission provides relief to farmers who are in distress. It recommend appropriate measures for the redressal of the grievances of farmers.
■ Kerala State Fishermen Debt Relief Commission
The Kerala State Fishermen Debt Relief Commission is constituted by the Kerala Government according to the Kerala Fishermen Debt Relief Commission Act, 2008. The commission address the problems of Fishermen in Kerala. The commission has a chairperson who has been a former Judge of High Court, one member who is an expert in fisheries, social, technical and financial administration and three representatives of fishermen. They are appointed by the government.
■ Kerala Law Reforms Commission
The Kerala Government has constituted the Kerala Law Reforms Commission in 2017. The commission consists of a chairman, vice chairman and other members. The commission will recommend appropriate amendments to the existing laws and discard the out of date laws. The commission will also make recommendations on new laws.
■ Kerala State Official Language Commission
The Kerala State Official Language Commission is the commission that scrutinizes the Hindi laws prepared by the Central Official Language (Legislative) Commission and makes the necessary amendments to adopt them into Malayalam. The Kerala State Official Language Commission is the only institution authorized to officially publish the Malayalam version of the Central laws in the state. The headquarters of the Kerala State Official Language Commission is in Thiruvananthapuram. The expenses related to the translation, printing and publication of the Central Government Acts are borne by the Central Government.
■ Kerala State Pay Revision Commission
The Kerala State Pay Revision Commission is a commission appointed with the objective of reviewing the salaries and other benefits of Kerala government employees and teachers from time to time in accordance with the norms. Since the formation of the state of Kerala, 11 pay revision commissions have been appointed so far.
■ Kerala State Food Commission
The State Food Commission is constituted by the Kerala Government as per Section 16 of National Food Security Act 2013. The commission monitor and evaluates the implementation of the Provisions of Food Security laid under Chapter II of National Food Security Act 2013. The commission has a chairperson, five members and a member secretary who is a state government officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary to Government. They are appointed by the Kerala government.
■ Kerala State Statistical Commission
The Kerala State Statistical Commission is an apex body to advise the kerala government on statistical matters for data collection, making policies and strengthening the statistical system. The Commission is located at Kaimanam, Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala State Statistical Commission consists of a Chairperson, other Members and a Member Secretary.
■ Kerala State Art and Heritage Commission
Art and Heritage Commission for the State is constituted by the Kerala Government for identifying areas of heritage and monuments to be preserved. It also includes preserving areas, places and streets of architectural importance.The commission consists of a chairman and other officers who held various positions in LSG, PWD and Archaeology Departments nominated by the State Government.
■ Non-Resident Indians' (Keralites) Commission
Kerala Government has enacted the Non-Resident Indians' (Keralites) Commission Act, 2015 for constituting the Non-Resident Indians' (Keralites) Commission. The commission will protect the interests and security of the Non-resident Indians hailing from Kerala. They also recommends remedial measures for the welfare of Non- Resident Indians.
■ Kerala State Co-operative Election Commission
The State Government have constituted the State Co-operative Election Commission and commenced its operations since March 2001 onwards. The State Co-operative Election Commission exercises the power of superintendence, control and direction of the state co-operatives. They also conduct the elections to the committee of all apex, credit and federal societies in the state.
■ Kerala State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Its location is Thiruvananthapuram. It was formed as per the provision contained in the Consumer Protection Act 1986. Consumer Courts was established in kerala during the year 1990 along with the Kerala State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. There would be one district forum in each district.
■ Kerala State Local Government Commission
The Government of Kerala has constituted the Local Government Commission to guide the institutionalisation process of Decentralisation in Kerala. Local Government Commission is conducting the People’s Plan Campaign in the state through Local Self Government Department. Local Government Commission is headed by a Chairman and other members. Its location is Nanthencode, Thiruvananthapuram.
Kerala Ombudsman
The Ombudsman is a mechanism for filing complaints against public representatives and officials for corruption, nepotism, misappropriation of funds, or dereliction of duty. The Ombudsman is a quasi-judicial body with powers. Under the current provisions, only a retired High Court judge can be appointed as the Ombudsman. People can directly approach the Ombudsman with a complaint. If a complaint is received, he has the power to summon anyone and conduct an investigation and recommend action. The Ombudsman was started to hear and resolve customer complaints in the banking sector. Delay in providing services, denying someone the right to receive services, and making services generous are considered corruption in modern society. People can file complaints with the Ombudsman against such corruption.
Types of Ombudsman in Kerala
■ Kerala Ombudsman for Local Self Government Institutions
Its headquarters is Trivandrum. Ombudsman was setup only for Local Self Government Institutions started functioning in the year 2000. This is a high powered quasi judicial body functioning at the state level. Ombudsman carry out investigations and look into the cases of mal administration, corruption, discrimination, partiality, dishonesty, unnecessary action, forced action, misuse of position against local governments in the state or the subsidiaries functioning under them. Initially, there was a 7-member Ombudsman. This became the condition for the appointment of a single-member Ombudsman through an amendment to the law. A former High Court Judge is appointed as the Ombudsman by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. The term of the Ombudsman is three years. The first Ombudsman is Justice P.A. Mohamed.
■ Kerala Ombudsman for Co-operatives
Its mission is resolving the problems and grievances of co-operative related service of consumers.
■ Kerala State Electricity Ombudsman
It is an appellate authority. Its mission is resolving the problems and grievances of electricity related service of consumers.
■ Banking Ombudsman
A mechanism set up by the Reserve Bank of India to address complaints regarding banking services. Complaints in the areas of Kerala, Lakshadweep and Puducherry should be filed with the Banking Ombudsman based in Thiruvananthapuram.
