Free KSRTC travel for women from June 15; UDF government fulfils promise

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government has implemented two of the five guarantees promised by the UDF during the election campaign. He announced that women will be allowed to travel free in KSRTC buses from June 15. The decision was taken at the first cabinet meeting of the new government. The Chief Minister said more details regarding the scheme will be announced later.

The cabinet also decided to create a separate department for senior citizens. Satheesan said Kerala is the first state in the country to introduce a dedicated department for the elderly. The government also decided to increase the honorarium of ASHA workers by Rs 3000 in the first phase. The salaries of anganwadi workers have been increased by Rs 1000. The Chief Minister said this is only the first phase of the hike. The wages of cooking workers have also been increased by Rs 1000. Salaries of pre-primary teachers and ayahs were also raised by Rs 1000.

The government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers by the former Chief Minister’s gunmen during the Nava Kerala Sadas event in Alappuzha. The Chief Minister said strict action will be taken against officials found guilty.

Senior legislator G Sudhakaran will serve as the pro-tem Speaker. The Cabinet has recommended to the Governor that the Assembly session be convened on May 21. It has also recommended a special session on May 22 for the election of the Speaker. The Governor’s policy address will be delivered on May 29. The government has appointed Jaiju Babu as the new Advocate General. The Chief Minister also announced that the government will release a white paper on the state's financial condition.