Kerala Cabinet Greenlights Major Reforms Across Multiple Sectors
The Kerala state cabinet, in a significant meeting held on Wednesday, approved a comprehensive series of decisions aimed at boosting agriculture, infrastructure, industry, and social welfare. The approvals span from structural reforms in the Kuttanad region to port development and a new women's empowerment policy.
Revamped Structure for Kuttanad Development Package
In a major move, the cabinet approved amendments to the structure and functioning of the Kuttanad Development Coordination Council to facilitate the implementation of the second phase of the Kuttanad package. The revamped framework will introduce several new entities to enhance coordination and efficiency.
The new structure includes:
- Central Project Processing Unit–Kuttanad Regional Development (CPPU-KRD): To be established at the state planning board level, this unit will report to the planning board member secretary, who also serves as the special officer for the Kuttanad package. It will incorporate experts from IT, finance, and water resources sectors.
- Implementation and Technical Committees: These will be formed at the district level in Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts. Each committee will be chaired by the respective district panchayat president, with the district collector acting as convener, and will function as sub-committees of the district planning committees.
- Kuttanad Cell: A dedicated secretariat will be set up within the planning and economic affairs department at the state level.
- Working Groups: Three working groups involving stakeholder departments and agencies will be established to support the initiative.
The chief secretary will serve as the convener of the coordination council, with a member from the planning board overseeing agriculture, water resources, fisheries, and animal husbandry. Projects valued up to Rs 5 crore will receive administrative sanction at the district level, in accordance with CPPU-KRD guidelines. A revised order incorporating these structural changes is set to be issued shortly.
Compensation for Supplyco and Industrial Expansion
The cabinet also decided to compensate Supplyco with Rs 253.06 crore for losses incurred during paddy procurement from the 2019-20 to 2021-22 seasons. These losses resulted from the central government's refusal to reduce the out-turn ratio from 68% to 64.5%.
In a boost to the industrial sector, the cabinet approved a Rs 741-crore project for Kerala Paper Products Ltd at Velloor in Kottayam. This initiative aims to enhance capacity and diversify products, with completion targeted within 24 months.
New Women's Policy and High Range Development
A landmark decision was the approval of the new Women's Policy 2026, which revises the 2009 policy to address contemporary concerns. The updated policy focuses on safety, employment rights, and sector-specific vulnerabilities faced by women.
Additionally, the cabinet announced the constitution of an empowered committee for high range development under the chief minister. This committee will prioritize achieving zero-casualty outcomes in human-wildlife conflict mitigation and promoting value-added economic transformation in the Western Ghats region.
Infrastructure and Judicial Initiatives
On the infrastructure front, the cabinet cleared the development of Kollam and Beypore ports under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. This move is expected to enhance port facilities and boost maritime trade.
In judicial reforms, the cabinet sanctioned the establishment of special NDPS courts in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam to expedite cases related to narcotics and psychotropic substances.
Further, the cabinet extended a Rs 50-crore government guarantee to the State Differently Abled Welfare Corporation, reinforcing support for persons with disabilities.
These decisions underscore the Kerala government's commitment to holistic development, addressing both immediate economic needs and long-term social welfare goals across the state.
