Kerala Cabinet Approves Key Initiatives and Appointments

Thiruvananthapuram: The Cabinet has decided to establish the Kerala State Narcotic Control Bureau under the Excise Department to prevent and investigate drug-related crimes in the state. The government has also approved the detailed guidelines for the second phase of the Anti-Poverty Eradication Program (EPEP 2.0), which aims to uplift families just above the poverty line, helping them escape extreme poverty.

The Cabinet has granted recognition to Pentecostal churches as part of the Christian denominations. A committee consisting of IAS officers Bishwa Nath Sinha, T.V. Anupama, and Jeromik George has been tasked with reviewing the issues faced by Pentecostal Christians and other converted Christian groups and submitting recommendations.

The Cabinet has also given approval for the recruitment of apprentices and the creation of new posts in various state government and semi-government departments. These apprentices will be provided stipends under the digital guidelines, and instead of each department using funds from its own plan, a "Common Pool Fund" will be created. There is also approval to increase the number of apprentices by up to 15 percent.

In response to atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, 41 new positions will be created in Special Mobile Squads (16 in Palakkad Agali, 14 in Mananthavady, and 11 in Kasargod). Additionally, 13 new posts have been sanctioned at the Kochi Cancer Research Center and 15 at the Rajakkad Fire Station. One HST post will be created at Kannur Chembilod School and one UPSH post at Kozhikode Chorod School.

86 Sub-Inspector positions in the Closed Women Cadre will be temporarily reassigned to the Kerala Civil Police Cadre. A decision has also been made to make 214 contract/daily wage employees at Ernakulam Government Medical College permanent.

Financial assistance and loan decisions have been made for various welfare boards. The government has guaranteed a loan of Rs 335 crore to the Construction Workers Welfare Board from other boards to support pension distribution. The loan will be raised from the Chief Wildlife Warden, the Toddy Industrial Workers Welfare Fund, and the Motor Workers Welfare Fund.

In the case of Kerala State Rubber Co-operative Limited (RUBCO), the government will convert its Rs 520.90 crore liability into equity. A new government guarantee of Rs 20 crore has been approved for a loan from NABARD.

The daily allowance for employees at Beverages Corporation outlets has been increased to Rs 550 for all cadres.

For the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation, the government has extended the term of the guarantee from 5 years to 20 years.

In terms of Nipah virus prevention, an amount of Rs 46,11,900 has been allocated from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund to the Kozhikode Medical College to compensate for losses caused by Nipah.

Key Appointments:

KSRTC: Promoj Shankar appointed as Chairman and Managing Director.

KAMCO: Syriak George Mampala appointed as Managing Director and Director Board Member.

Government Pleader: Adv. A.B. Cheryan from Meenangadi, Wayanad, has been appointed as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor.

Nisha John: Former national athlete Nisha John, who had to retire due to injury, will be appointed as a clerk in the Public Works Department.

Infopark: CEO Sushanth Kuruthil's tenure has been extended by one year.

Other Decisions:

Employees at Vypin Seaport Limited, Oil Palm India (Vechur Rice Mill), and ADAK have been given an 11th salary revision.

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has been authorised to implement the Smart Meter project in Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Powers given to local bodies to cull wild boars have been extended until May 28, 2026.

The Ernakulam Konthuruthy River will undergo dredging and rejuvenation.

Land at Rs 750 per hectare will be leased to Kerala Agro Business Company for agricultural purposes.

Key Tenders Approved:

Peruman - Thariyanmuk - Perinad Railway Overbridge Road Renovation (Kollam): Rs 3,00,35,710.

Kandachira - Mudanthayarvila Junction Road Renovation (Kollam): Rs 2,97,38,225.

Villamkadavu - Swamithara Road Renovation (Alappuzha): Rs 2,69,54,036.

Thripalazhikam Bridge Reconstruction (Kottarakkara): Rs 2,26,34,940.

Tanur - Koottayi Canal Cleaning (Malappuram): Rs 71,42,329.