Thiruvananthapuram (Keralam) [India], May 20 (HBTV): The Keralam Government issued an order on Tuesday for the formation of the Department of Senior Citizens Welfare to formulate and implement new welfare schemes for the elderly in the state, as well as coordinate and execute existing schemes.
The move comes hours after Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan, shortly after taking oath on Monday, chaired the newly formed government’s first Cabinet meeting, during which a series of welfare-oriented decisions focusing on social support and public welfare were announced.
Among the key decisions was the creation of a dedicated department for senior citizens.
The Cabinet also announced an increase of INR 3,000 in the monthly honorarium of ASHA workers, fulfilling a long-standing demand raised during their protest outside the Secretariat. In addition, the government approved a monthly hike of INR 1,000 for Anganwadi workers and helpers, school cooking staff, pre-primary teachers, and ayahs.
Another major decision taken during the first Cabinet meeting was the introduction of free travel for women on KSRTC buses, which will come into effect from June 15 under the government’s social welfare commitments.
The Cabinet further constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged attacks on Congress leaders during the 2023 Nava Kerala Yatra led by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Chief Minister Satheesan said the series of decisions reflected the new government’s focus on welfare expansion, social security measures, and fulfilling electoral promises made under the UDF’s ‘Indira guarantees’ framework, marking its return to power after a decade-long gap.
Ending a ten-year hiatus, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) officially assumed power in Keralam on Monday. In a packed ceremony held at the Central Stadium in the state capital, 61-year-old VD Satheesan took the oath of office and secrecy as the state’s 13th Chief Minister.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office and secrecy to Satheesan and his Council of Ministers after the rendition of Vande Mataram and the Jana Mana Gana.
Along with Satheesan, the Governor swore in 20 ministers, including 14 first-time ministers, two women, and two representatives from the Scheduled Caste community. The Congress secured 11 ministerial berths, while its main ally, the Indian Union Muslim League, which won 22 Assembly seats, received five ministerial positions. The Kerala Congress (Joseph), Kerala Congress (Jacob), Revolutionary Socialist Party, and Communist Marxist Party received one ministerial berth each.
(ANI)