SilverLine project cancelled, PSC rank lists to be extended; govt announces major public-friendly decisions

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan has announced another set of major public-friendly decisions by the Kerala government. The Chief Minister said the government has decided to cancel the SilverLine project and extend the validity of PSC rank lists. He also confirmed that all notifications related to the SilverLine project, including land acquisition proceedings, have been revoked. Satheesan announced the decisions during a press conference after the second cabinet meeting.

The Chief Minister said the government would recommend withdrawing police cases registered against protesters who took part in anti-SilverLine agitations. He also said the Revenue Department has been instructed to remove the yellow survey stones placed for the project.

Satheesan stated that the SilverLine project was dropped because it was not practical. He said the decision was based on a detailed report submitted by a UDF sub-committee. The Chief Minister added that the government had directly understood the difficulties faced by people due to the project. According to him, many ordinary people were unable to buy or sell land for several years because of the project notifications.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also announced an extension for PSC rank lists. Lists set to expire before August 31, 2026, have now been extended until November 30. He said the Public Service Commission could not issue appointment orders due to election notifications and campaign-related delays, which is why the validity has been extended by three months.

Satheesan also announced a 100-day action plan for the government. He said the promises made in the UDF election manifesto had been distributed among different departments and assured that all commitments would be implemented. He further said that actions taken against senior IAS officers would be reviewed.

During its first cabinet meeting, the government had already decided to introduce free bus travel for women in KSRTC buses, increase the wages of ASHA workers by Rs 3,000, and create a separate department for the welfare of senior citizens. The latest announcements come as part of the government’s continued series of welfare-oriented decisions.