State Appoints Retired IAS Officer N Jayaram to K-RERA Member Post

The Karnataka state government has appointed retired IAS officer N Jayaram as a member of the Karnataka Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA) in Bengaluru, filling a post that had remained vacant for nearly one-and-a-half years. The official notification regarding the appointment was issued by the state Housing Department on July 15.

The post at the real estate regulator had been unoccupied since January last year, following the retirement of former IPS officer Neelamani N Raju. The extended period without an appointment had triggered speculation regarding who would be chosen for the administrative role.

Former Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan had recommended his former private secretary, Sarfaraz Khan, for the position. Simultaneously, retired IAS officer N Jayaram emerged as a strong contender for the role. Owing to these competing recommendations, then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had not taken a final decision on filling the vacancy.

The appointment process gained momentum following the recent dissolution of the Cabinet, after which Chief Minister D K Shivakumar took charge of the Housing portfolio. Shivakumar subsequently cleared Jayaram’s appointment to the regulatory authority.

Jayaram, who retired from government service in May last year, previously held several key positions within the state administration. His prior assignments include serving as the Commissioner of the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and as the Chairman of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).

According to the Housing Department notification, Jayaram will hold office for a period of five years from the date he assumes charge or until he reaches the age of 65 years, whichever occurs earlier.

During Jayaram’s tenure as the BDA commissioner, the site allottees’ association for the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout had approached K-RERA seeking relief. The association sought regulatory intervention after the BDA failed to complete the residential project even a decade after making initial site allotments.