Cabinet expands ministers’ advisers and personal secretariats
Summary
The government has reversed a previous policy to reduce political appointments by allowing ministers to appoint between three to five advisers and a nine-member personal secretariat each, increasing support staff across 17 federal ministries.
Key Points
- The Cabinet decided on April 15 to allow ministers to appoint between three and five advisers plus a nine-member personal secretariat each.
- This decision reverses a 2025 move that had reduced political appointments and support staff for ministers.
- Ministries like Energy, Water Resources, Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure Development, and Agriculture can appoint up to five advisers.
- Officials express concern that increasing advisers will raise state expenditure without improving effectiveness and could weaken civil servants' morale.
- The decision has not been publicly announced despite being implemented since April 15, 2026.
