P.H. Kurian, one of the most respected civil servants of Keralam, is no more

P.H. Kurian, a revered civil servant from Kerala, has passed away at the age of 67 after a battle with cancer. He had served in the state for nearly four decades, holding high-ranking positions in various departments. Kurian began his career in 1986, beginning as an officer of the Kerala cadre. He held key roles such as Labour Commissioner, Managing Director of KSIDC, Principal Secretary, and additional Chief Secretary across several departments.

It was during his tenure as IT Secretary under the Oommen Chandy Government that Kurian spearheaded significant revamping initiatives in Kerala's technology infrastructure and e-governance. He also played a crucial role in the development of the Akshaya network, a digital service delivery platform. Kurian's innovative leadership extended to his role as Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks, where he digitized records, introduced online filing systems, and ensured transparency in trademark allocation.

His groundbreaking decision to grant the first compulsory license under the Patents Act to Natco Pharma for producing Bayer's cancer drug, Nexavar, set a global precedent for affordable generic drugs. Kurian's contributions to the real estate sector through the implementation of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act were also significant.

Born into an agrarian family in 1959, Kurian initially pursued chemistry studies before entering the civil services, serving in various capacities before his retirement. Chief Minister VD Satheesan mourned Kurian's passing, praising him for his dedication to the welfare of the common people.