Kerala government to become ‘Government of Keralam’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha has passed a Bill providing for Kerala to be renamed ‘Keralam’ in the Constitution. Following the change, the state government’s name will be changed from ‘Government of Kerala’ in English to ‘Government of Keralam’, while in Malayalam, it will be changed to ‘Keralam Sarkar’ (കേരളം സർക്കാർ). The Kerala Legislative Assembly will also be renamed the Keralam Legislative Assembly.

The name change will require alterations to the signboards, seals, letterheads, websites, apps and logos of government offices, from the Secretariat to village offices. Certificates, gazettes and documents, including ration cards, will also have to be printed with the new name. The names of public sector undertakings, boards and corporations will be changed as well. ‘Keralam’ will be added to the name of the Kerala Public Service Commission, while the names of commissions and welfare funds will also have to be changed.
The changes will also entail a significant financial burden.

Name change may create legal complications

Changes to the names of universities will require amendments to the relevant laws. The state’s name will also change in court proceedings. Cases in which the state government has so far been recorded as the ‘Government of Kerala’ will continue to carry the existing name. However, cases filed after the name change comes into effect will refer to the state government as the ‘Government of Keralam’.

The name of the Kerala High Court is unlikely to change. The High Courts of Bombay, Madras, Calcutta and Gauhati continue to bear their existing names despite changes in the names of the cities where they are located.
A separate law will have to be enacted by Parliament if the name of the High Court is to be changed. Even after the city of Allahabad was renamed Prayagraj, the court continues to be known by its former name.
Since the change requires a constitutional amendment, the Bill will also have to be passed by the Rajya Sabha. The name change will come into effect only after the President gives assent to the Bill.