Kerala CM VD Satheesan announces free bus travel for women, hike for ASHA workers
Newly sworn-in Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan announced a series of welfare measures during the first Cabinet meeting of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government today.
Among the major decisions, the Kerala government approved free travel for women in KSRTC buses and announced a ₹3,000 increase in the monthly honorarium of ASHA workers.
The Cabinet also approved a ₹1,000 monthly hike for Anganwadi workers and helpers, school cooking staff, pre-primary teachers and ayahs.
In another key move, the government decided to create a dedicated department for elderly welfare, with Satheesan stating that Kerala should become a “model civilised society” by ensuring dignified care for senior citizens.
The Cabinet also approved the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged attack on Youth Congress leaders during the Nava Kerala Yatra in 2023.
The government recommended senior MLA G Sudhakaran as the pro-tem Speaker and requested the Governor to convene the Assembly session for the swearing-in of MLAs and the election of the Speaker.
According to the announced schedule, MLAs will take oath on May 21, while the Speaker election will be held on May 22.
Earlier in the day, Satheesan took oath as Kerala Chief Minister in the presence of senior Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and K C Venugopal.
Congratulating the new government, Rahul Gandhi said the UDF victory reflected the mandate of the people and expressed confidence that the administration would work for every Keralite.
