Kochi (PTI): The Kerala High court on Wednesday orally directed deletion of the names of Chief Minister V S Achutanandan and SC-ST Minister, A K Balan from the list of respondents in a petition seeking a direction to change the portfolio of the SC/ST minister.

When the petition by Federation of SC/ST state committee and M G Vanitha trust, Kochi, came up before a division bench, the court said the names of the Chief Minister and SC/ ST minister should be deleted.

The case has been adjourned for hearing the government's views.

The petitioners had stated that a person who had 'genuine interst' in the welfare of two communities should be appointed as the minister. They also sought a special audit to find the reasons for the lapse of crores of rupees every year for the welfare of SC/ST department.