Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
The Hon'ble Governor of Kerala
Portfolio

Kerala Lok Bhavan is the official abode of the Governor of Kerala. It is situated a little away from the bustle of the city, near Vellayambalam Junction on the Kowdiar road. This 12 hectare stretch of lush greenery is sylvan sanctuary for birds, where dignitaries, national as well as international, find a true home away from home. Kerala Lok Bhavan stands within handshake distance from the Kowdiar Palace, from where the Maharajah of Travancore once ruled and where his descendants still live.

When the State of Kerala was born in 1956, there were three Lok Bhavans – the State Government Guest House at Trivandrum, the Bolghatty Palace at Ernakulam, and the Palace at Devicolam, which was the summer resort of the Governor. Later on, the Bolghatty Palace and the Devicolam Palace were transferred to the Public Works Department and the Tourism Department respectively

Originally built as the Guest House of Travancore-Cochin State, the oldest building in the Raj Bhavan compound could not accommodate the guests and the various offices of the Kerala Lok Bhavan.  So extensions and additions to the mother building were made. Built in the Kerala traditional style, the main building of the Lok Bhavan has certain architectural features such as high ceiled, spacious rooms with large windows and doors, with a tinge of Victorian finish. Constructed atop a breezy hillock, it is surrounded by sprawling meadows, velvety lawns, green houses with many species of Anthurium, Orchid, etc.  There is also an enchanting fountain at the centre of the main lawn facing the office room of the Governor.     
           
Kerala Lok Bhavan is the first among Lok Bhavans in the country to set up a Digital Garden. Visitors can scan the QR code affixed on the trees and get details about the trees. This project was carried out with the help of the Department of Botany, University of Kerala.
Click here https://tressofkeralarajbhavan.blogspot.com/

Lok Bhavan Garden has bagged several prizes on many an occasion during annual flower shows.  With an area of 3.24 hectares, Lok Bhavan Garden attracts the visitors. The trimmed grass gives the look of a green carpet spread out. The artificial water fall and the three green houses add to the charm of the gardens, which are graced by Dendrobium, Aranda, Catlia, Arachnis, Moecara, Vanda and Dove orchids. The Garden also has a good collection of Rose and Bigonia. The Bamboo Garden is another attraction. The beautiful statues brought in from Mayiladi, near Sucheendram, Tamil Nadu and placed at appropriate points contribute to the charm of the Kerala Lok Bhavan Gardens. There are also two impressive Band Stands built in regal style, besides a Children's Park, Tennis Court and a Shuttle Court on the premises.
Held at the Lok Bhavan Gardens the two 'At Homes' hosted by the Governor on the Independence Day and the Republic Day and on various other occasions are events to remember

The Lok Bhavan has a good library of about six thousand books on a variety of interesting topics. The Public Relations Section is in charge of the Library.  The books have been indexed and neatly displayed on shelves.  

Also situated in the campus are the 71 Quarters for the Officers and Staff of Kerala Lok Bhavan (the quarters of AsDC are situated in the Lok Bhavan - Kowdiar road), Lok Bhavan Dispensary, Office of the Electrical Wing and the Lok Bhavan Employees Co-operative Society. There is a post office exclusively for Lok Bhavan named “The Kerala Governor’s Camp Post Office”, where there are facilities for sending speed post, telegrams etc.            

About half a kilometer from the Lok Bhavan is the Museum Complex, consisting of the Napier Museum, an Indo-Saracenic structure of the 19th century, housing a rare collection of archaeological specimens, Sree Chithra Art Gallery displaying Raja Ravi Varma paintings and exquisite works of the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art, and the Zoological park, one of the first and most well-planned in India preserving very rare wild life.        
 
The Kanakakkunnu Palace in between the Lok Bhavan and the Museum complex is often the venue of several cultural festivals, including the flower show, the Nisagandhi Dance Festival, and the State-level Onam Celebrations in August/September.      

About a kilometer from the Lok Bhavan is the Science and Technology Museum which exhibits science, technology and electronic devices, and houses the Priyadarshini Planetarium and Biotechnology Museum. Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple at East Fort, the heart of the city, is well-known for its murals and stone-carvings.          

The Government Secretariat is situated at Statue, 4 kms from Lok Bhavan and the recently constructed Legislative Complex at Vikas Bhavan, 2 kms from Lok Bhavan.      

A few kilometers from the Lok Bhavan are Kovalam, Shanghumukham Beach, Veli Tourist Village and Akkulam Boat Club, the famed picnic spots of Thiruvananthapuram.  About 15 kilometres from the Lok Bhavan is the Technopark, the State’s leading centre of software industry and Information Technology.

Lok Bhavan Garden

Under Article 163 of the Constitution of India, the Governor as the constitutional head of the executive exercises all the powers under the Constitution on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. However, there are certain functions, which are to be exercised by the Governor in his discretion as sending report to the President (Article 356), reserving Bills for the consideration of the President (Article 200) etc. Besides, the Governor has special responsibilities under Article 371 (2) of Constitution of India.

GOVERNOR’S SECRETARIAT

The Governor’s Secretariat is headed by the Secretary to the Governor who is the Head of the Department for both the offices, i.e. the Governor’s Secretariat and Governor’s Household.  

The Governor’s Secretariat attends to all secretarial work of the Governor including the duties that the Governor has to perform under the provisions of the Constitution, such as those relating to the Legislature, the High Court, the Public Service Commission and matters submitted by the Departments of Government.

The Secretariat also attends to the work relating to the swearing-in-ceremonies of the Chief Justice of the High Court, the Lokayukta and Upa-Lokayukta, the Ombudsman of the Local Self Government etc.  It also provides assistance to the Governor in the discharge of duties as the Chancellor of all Universities and in other capacities such as Chairman/Patron of Managing Committee of Special Fund for Rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen (Amalgamated Fund), the Indian Red Cross Society and other Committees of Government.

GOVERNOR'S HOUSEHOLD

The main function of the Household establishment headed by the Comptroller is the efficient running of the Household of Lok Bhavan. The swearing in ceremony of the Council of Ministers is coordinated by the Household.  All Household activities including catering arrangements for the Governor, Lady Governor and official guests of Lok Bhavan, arrangements in Lok Bhavan premises for all State functions, official meetings, receptions and dinners/banquets, all arrangements for visiting dignitaries both Indian and foreign, protocol matters, arrangements for cultural activities, travel arrangements for Governor and Lady Governor and other staff inside and outside the State, maintenance of furniture, installations and buildings of Lok Bhavan, control and maintenance of vehicles, scrutiny of Budget estimates pertaining to Governor’s Household, control of grants placed at the disposal of the Governor under the Governor’s Allowances and Privileges Act and Rules, printing and distribution of engagement cards, allotment of accommodation to staff etc. have been made the direct responsibility of the Comptroller of the Governor’s Household.

ACCOUNTS SECTION:
This is a common Branch for the Governor’s Secretariat as well as the Governor’s Household. This section is responsible for control over expenditure, framing of budgets, drawal of pay and allowances, handling audit objections etc.

TOUR SECTION:
The Tour Section deals with all arrangements regarding the tour of the Governor, Correspondence regarding the functions accepted/rejected by the Governor,  and Fixing up of the daily engagements of the Governor and maintaining of the engagement diary.  The section is also in charge of protocol and matters connected with the tour of the Governor.  It also arranges booking of tickets and collection of luggages when the Governor goes on tour/returns from tour.

PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION:
The Public Relations Section attends to the work relating to the preparation of draft Speeches and Messages of the Governor and preparation of Monthly Reports to be provided to the Hon’ble President of India.  It arranges photographic, video and media coverage  for important functions held in Lok Bhavan. Press Conferences, as and when desired by the Governor, are also arranged by the Public Relations section.  The official Website of Lok Bhavan Kerala, the Twitter handle of the Governor and the Lok Bhavan Library are also managed by the Public Relations section.

DISPENSARY:   
The Lok Bhavan Dispensary functions as a separate unit under the direct control of the Secretary to the Governor and not under the administrative control of the Director of Health Services as in the case of other Government Dispensaries in the State.  The purpose of maintaining a dispensary in the Lok Bhavan is to provide all facilities including free supply of medicines exclusively for the Governor, family and the staff.   The Medical Officer in charge of the Lok Bhavan Dispensary furnishes the requirements of medicines to be purchased through an indent to the Governor’s Household.  Periodical physical verification of the stock is also conducted by the Medical Officer. 

SECURITY WING:
All orders in respect of security arrangements in Lok Bhavan are issued by the Superintendent of Police/Commissioner of Police, after consulting the Secretary to Governor.  In addition to the guards posted for duty, there is a Pilot and Security Officer and nine Ring Round Staff of the Security Branch (CID) for providing ring round escort to the Governor during his journeys by road and train.  The Security Wing is led by the Security Officer.

PWD - CIVIL / ELECTRICAL WING:
There is a section of the State Public Works Department working in Lok Bhavan, on deputation.  The section has two wings – the Civil wing and the Electrical wing, under the control of one Assistant Engineer each.  The Public Works Department section looks after the maintenance and repair of the Lok Bhavan and the attached buildings and the electrical installations in them.

GARAGE: 
The Lok Bhavan Garage has a fleet of six vehicles and a motor cycle.  The Garage Supervisor, who is on deputation from the PWD is in overall control of the garage and is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Motor Transport Stock Register, duty arrangements of the chauffeurs and cleaners and the proper conduct of the work in the garage.

DEPARTMENTS / OFFICERS AND DUTIES

GOVERNOR'S SECRETARIAT

This Office deals with:

Secretary to Governor:

The Secretary to the Governor who is an Officer of the IAS Cadre is the head of the Lok Bhavan establishment and is answerable to the Governor for its proper conduct and efficiency in all respects. By virtue of his position as the Head of the Department, he shall be in overall charge of the Secretariat and the Household establishment and shall be responsible for the overall control and discipline of all officers and staff working in Lok Bhavan. He shall provide efficient and effective secretarial assistance to the Governor and for that purpose he shall scrutinize every file/proposal initiated by both the Offices and shall record specific recommendation before the file is submitted to the Governor.

The Secretary to Governor is also responsible for arrangements for the safety of the Governor’s person, arrangements in connection with the Governor’s Tours, arrangements in connection with all functions at Lok Bhavan, Guard of Honour and the care and up-keep of the Lok Bhavan Premises.

Joint Secretary: 

The Joint Secretary is the Drawing and Disbursing Officer in respect of all the non-gazetted officers of Governor’s Secretariat and is in overall charge of the Accounts of the Governor’s Secretariat establishment including scrutiny of Budget estimates pertaining to Governor’s Secretariat. In addition to this all papers relating to the Universities and all establishment matters of the Governor’s Secretariat are routed to the Secretary/Governor through her. 

Deputy Secretary:

Papers relating to the Cochin University of Science and Technology [CUSAT], Kannur University, Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University [KTU] and Sree Narayana Guru Open University. He is also in charge of the papers relating to Amalgamated Fund, Lokayukta, and collecting the property statements of the Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition, MLA’s and Office bearers of recognised and registered political parties. As per Lokayukta Act every Public Servant has to submit their annual property statements to the Governor once in two years. 

Private Secretary/Additional Private Secretary to the Governor: 

The functions of Private Secretary and Additional Private Secretary are to assist the Governor and maintain the record of his correspondence, notes, discussion with various people, instructions, directives and orders given by him,and to attend the correspondence of personal nature and with the high official dignitaries. 

The Public Relations Officer: 

The Public Relations Officer prepares the Speeches, statements messages and Reports of the Governor. He is also responsible for issuing Press Releases and managing the Web-site and social media platforms, arranging Media Coverage for important functions in Lok Bhavan and when VVIPs visit the Governor. He is also in charge of arranging Press Conferences as and when the Governor desires. The PRO also holds charge of the Library.  

Personal Assistant to the Governor: 

The Personal Assistant is entrusted with the work of providing stenographic assistance to Governor. He is also responsible for keeping important and secret personal papers of the Governor.  

Under Secretary: 

Under Secretary deals with the papers relating to the Universities of the State, the Lokayukta, Amalgamated Fund, supply of Uniforms to Class IV of Lok Bhavan and all papers relating to the establishment matters of the Governor’s secretariat. Other duties include control of the conduct of business and discipline in the Governor’s Secretariat. 

Section Officer: 

There are three Section Officers in Lok Bhavan who are in charge of the three sections, viz; Governor’s Secretariat, Governor’s Household and Accounts Section. They are assisted by a certain number of Assistants and are responsible for all files relating to the subjects allotted to the Assistants under them. They are directly responsible to the officers, under whom they work for the efficient and expeditious functioning of official business in all stages in their section. The training of the assistants under them is one of their principal functions. The Section Officer maintains discipline in the section and sees to it that orders or instructions are not disputed or disregarded by the staff under them. Communications received from the Government and others for immediate submission to the Governor should receive the immediate attention of the Section Officer and any omission by oversight at any level should be brought to the notice of the Secretary by the Section Officer. The Section Officers must constantly examine the cases pending with assistants to avoid delay. They should see that stock files are maintained in their sections and should check the stock files at frequent intervals. To ensure the efficient and expeditious despatch of work, the Section Officer should thoroughly examine the Personal Registers maintained by the assistants once a fortnight on a specified day and submit notes of inspection to the Secretary. Of the three Section Officers listed under Governor’s Secretariat, one is responsible for supervision of Governor’s Household. He/She assists the Comptroller in the discharge of duties. 

Assistant: 

There are 12 Assistants in the Lok Bhavan Kerala. They assists the section Officers and other Officers in dealing with the files. They also scrutinize the appeals, representations and complaints received by the Governor/Chancellor from the public or Government officials. They maintain inward/outward register, registers of telephone, water and electricity bills as well as the stationery items. They also look after the work of allotment of duties to Peons and messengers. The Cash Assistant (Cashier) handles cash and maintains cash Registers. 

Confidential Assistants [CA]: 

There are two CA’s in Lok Bhavan establishment. They provide Stenographic assistance to the Governor, Secretary to Governor, ADCs to the Governor and other Officers. 

Computer Assistants: 

The Computer Assistant provides typing assistance to the sections concerned. 

Telephone Operator: 

They are in-charge of the telephone exchange. 

Motorcycle Dispatch Rider [MCDR]: 

MCDRs in Lok Bhavan deliver "Tapal" to the Government Departments, allied offices and others concerned. They also collect newspapers / magazines for Governor and the guests in Lok Bhavan. 

Attender:

The Attender maintains official record of files and stationary items and also looks after printing work. 

Duffedar and Office Attendant:

They basically attend to the Governor, VIPs, other guests and officers in Lok Bhavan and also attend to the works related to the sections. 

Binder: 

It is the duty of the Binder to docket each closed file sent to him from Governor’s Secretariat, Governor’s Household and Accounts Section. The Cabinet proceedings are also neatly stitched and filed.

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