By P. Sreekumaran
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Government has announced a slew of steps aimed at benefiting a wide spectrum of people in the State. Topping the list is the decision to raise the age limit for general category candidates applying for the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examinations from 36 to 40.
The ‘watershed decision’ will benefit lakhs of government job aspirants with qualifications ranging from SSLC to postgraduate degrees in a State saddled with a high rate of educated youth unemployment (29.9%).
The decision has been welcomed by the secretary of the Kerala PSC Rank Holders Association, A. Basheer. The decision will pave the way for government employment for educated youth, especially those from marginalised sections of society, including minorities.
The step effectively silences critics who have been accusing the Government of non-reporting of vacancies, failing to fill available posts and allowing PSC rank lists, including the post of Civil Police Officers(CPO) and Last Grade Servants(LSG), to expire.
In a significant move aimed at ensuring the safety of women, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has inaugurated the “Nirbhaya Nisha” project designed by the Kerala Police. It will instil a sense of safety among women who travel at odd hours for work and other purposes, he added.
The initiative would be implemented across Kerala and necessary training provided to the police personnel. As part of the project, the Police will intensify night patrols, including by Pink Patrol units, and strategically deploy personnel in vulnerable locations such as transport hubs, IT parks, hospital zones and educational institutions.
A notable feature of the project is the installation of ‘safety poles’ linked to control rooms in busy urban corridors and bus stops. Women in distress can seek help through the police Emergency Response and Support System (ERSS), 112 emergency helpline, SOS feature on the Kerala Police mobile application (Pol-App), district control rooms, highway patrol units and Pink Patrol vehicles.
Another decision that will gladden the hearts of Government employees is the order appointing the 12th Pay Revision Commission for submitting recommendations for the pay revision of government employees. Former Chief secretary V. P. Joy has been appointed as chairperson of the Commission.
The Commission has been asked to submit its report within three months, according to State Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal.
The decision to set up the pay commission has been taken in response to the demands made by employees organisations. The State Government had incurred an additional liability of Rs 25,000 crore in implementing the previous revision.
The 11th Pay Commission had fixed minimum basic salary of State Government employees and teachers at Rs 23,000 and the maximum at Rs 1,66,800. It had also recommended that the retirement age of State Government employees be enhanced by one year to 57. Other recommendations included a proposal for a five-day week and abrogation of compassionate employment scheme by offering better financial benefits to the kin of employees who die in harness.
The decision to issue a nativity card has come as a big relief for the minorities in particular. The card will be a legally valid document to establish one’s identity as a Keralite.
Though the government issued nativity certificates to prove residency, the nativity card would meet the need for a legally valid document that establishes one’s identity as a Keralite, like in the case of citizenship provided for in the Constitution, said Revenue Minister K. Rajan.
The card can also be used for access to State Government services. Aid and other “social requirements”, easing governance, especially as domestic migration has increased in modern times.
The card will be issued to someone born in Kerala; whose parents were born in the State; or either parent was born here and who became permanent residents of the State.
The Kerala Cabinet has also accepted in principle the J. B. Koshy Commission report which studied the educational, economic and welfare issues of Christian minorities in the State.
The Cabinet, which finalised decisions on 32 more recommendations, also decided to publish report.
Hereafter, certificates issued by the Bishops concerned will be regarded as a supporting document for verification for issuing the community certificate.
The decision has been welcomed by the Kerala Lathin Catholic Association (KLCA). It amounts to partial fulfilment of the KLCA efforts to get the report published and the recommendations implemented.
The Union Government has approved the Kerala Government’s proposal to change the State’s name from ‘Kerala to Keralam’, the name used in Malayalam language.
The move comes almost two years after the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution seeking the name change.
The President will now refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill. 2026, to the Kerala Assembly to express its views, under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India, a government statement said. Once the views are received, the Union Government will take further action to obtain the President’s recommendations to introduce the name change legislation in Parliament.
The State Cabinet has given in principle approval to implement a comprehensive group insurance scheme to ensure financial security against damage to dwellings(or human habitations) due to natural calamities. The scheme will be implemented through the State Insurance Department.
The scheme is being introduced against the backdrop of the recurring calamities that cause a big strain on the financial security of the State in terms of emergency response, relief rehabilitation and reconstruction.
In another decision which will give a big boost to Wayanad district, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) has accorded the final stage-II clearance for the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel project, a flagship infrastructure initiative of the Kerala Government. It will put an end to the travel travails experienced by the people while travelling to Wayanad from various parts of the State.
The project is being financed by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Konkan Railway Corporation Limited, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the project, is responsible for its execution and implementation. The project, estimated to cost Rs 2,134.5 crore, is slated for completion in four years. (IPA Service)
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