Diplomat Venu Rajamony appointed Kerala authorities’s OSD for External Cooperation

By PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Government on Wednesday appointed retired Indian Foreign Service official Venu Rajamony as its Officer on Special Duty to work together with the central authorities, overseas and Indian diplomatic missions and companies on the overall points associated to the Malayali diaspora unfold the world over.

The announcement of appointment of Rajamony, who additionally labored as press secretary to then President Pranab Mukherjee, as OSD to Government of Kerala (External Cooperation) was made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan immediately at a press convention right here.

He was additionally the Ambassador of India to the Netherlands.

Later, in its order, the Government stated Rajamony was appointed on a component time foundation for a interval of 1 12 months within the rank equal to Chief Secretary.

He might be initially based mostly in New Delhi.

His job description contains liaising with the Ministry of External Affairs, overseas missions in New Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and diplomatic missions overseas on numerous issues together with these pertaining to the Kerala diaspora and alternatives for exterior cooperation in numerous sectors and observe up of issues arising out of the official visits by Chief Minister overseas.

Besides monitoring the progress of proposals acquired from overseas diplomatic missions and proposals initiated from the state authorities, he must also advise the state authorities on guidelines and laws governing all engagements with overseas governments and different entities, and ‘pravasi’ points.

He has additionally been assigned to discover collaboration and cooperation alternatives for Kerala in instructional, cultural, financing, talent growth and employment and help the state authorities in interplay with overseas officers and enterprise delegations visiting Kerala.

On his appointment, the state authorities stated the big Kerala diaspora unfold the world over has many basic points which have to be raised with the central authorities and diplomatic missions in a well timed method for expeditious redressal.

“The state authorities has to implement numerous programmes in collaboration and cooperation with overseas entities for the holistic growth of the state and public welfare.

A necessity has been felt to nominate a senior knowledgeable on half time foundation to work together with the Government of India, Foreign and Indian diplomatic missions, companies on these issues and to discover collaboration alternatives in numerous sectors similar to educational, cultural, financing, funding and so forth,” it stated.

The authorities stated such an officer with in-depth information and expertise on diplomatic issues would suitably advise the state authorities on numerous facets of worldwide relations.