The Kerala government has decided to appoint Integrated Financial Advisers (IFAs) in all departments as part of a major administrative reform aimed at improving governance and project implementation. The decision was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.
Under the new system, each department will have a finance department officer of at least Joint Secretary rank serving as its Integrated Financial Adviser. These officers will provide financial guidance within departments and help ensure that proposals comply with financial rules before decisions are taken.
The government said the reform is intended to reduce the large number of files being repeatedly referred to the Finance Department, a process that often delays approvals and slows the implementation of projects and schemes.
According to the Chief Minister, the model is based on a system introduced by the Union Government in 1974 and is designed to combine quicker decision-making with effective financial scrutiny.
Officials said the new arrangement will not create any additional financial burden on the state, as existing Finance Department officers will be assigned advisory responsibilities within various departments.
The government expects the move to improve administrative efficiency, accelerate project execution, and strengthen financial discipline while minimizing procedural bottlenecks across departments.
