The cabinet also moved to address the demands of Accredited Social Health Activist workers, commonly known as ASHA workers, who had been seeking higher honorariums and improved retirement benefits…reports Asian Lite News
Kerala’s new Congress-led UDF government has announced a series of welfare measures within hours of taking office, including free bus travel for women and wage hikes for frontline workers. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said the administration would prioritise social welfare, financial transparency and monsoon preparedness…reports Asian Lite News Desk
The newly sworn in Congress-led UDF government in Kerala on Monday announced a raft of welfare measures and administrative decisions at its first cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan in Thiruvananthapuram.
Among the key decisions was the introduction of free travel for women in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses from June 15, fulfilling one of the five guarantees promised by the UDF during the Assembly election campaign.
The government also announced the creation of a separate department dedicated to the welfare of senior citizens. According to the Chief Minister, it would be the first such department in the country.
Satheesan said the government planned to study Japan’s elderly care system before finalising a detailed framework for the new department.
“A society is judged by how it treats its elderly. Kerala will soon become a model state in caring for senior citizens,” the Chief Minister said after the cabinet meeting.
The cabinet also moved to address the demands of Accredited Social Health Activist workers, commonly known as ASHA workers, who had been seeking higher honorariums and improved retirement benefits.
The government approved a Rs 3,000 increase in their monthly honorarium, taking it to Rs 12,000. Satheesan said decisions related to retirement benefits for ASHA workers would be announced within a month.
In addition, anganwadi workers, catering workers, pre primary teachers and ayahs were granted a wage increase of Rs 1,000.
The Chief Minister said the government would consider further financial benefits for workers once the state’s economic position improves.
The cabinet also took several administrative decisions, including the appointment of veteran former CPI(M) leader G. Sudhakaran as Pro tem Speaker of the Assembly. Sudhakaran had recently contested the election with UDF backing after parting ways with the CPI(M).
The swearing in ceremony for newly elected MLAs is scheduled for May 21, while the election of the Speaker will be held the following day. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar is expected to address the Assembly on May 29.
Senior advocate Jaiju Babu was appointed Advocate General after the resignation of the previous incumbent. The government also appointed T. Asaf Ali as Director General of Prosecution.
In another decision, the cabinet ordered a Special Investigation Team probe into the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme held in Alappuzha in December 2023.
Satheesan said an expert committee would soon prepare a White Paper on Kerala’s financial condition. He added that the government would also give priority to monsoon preparedness in the coming weeks.
The decisions announced at the first cabinet meeting are being seen as an attempt by the new administration to quickly implement major election commitments and outline its governance priorities at the start of its term.
