Govt decides to reduce number of participants in oath taking ceremony; venue will be central stadium

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It has been decided to reduce the number of participants in the oath taking ceremony. The chief minister might explain how many guests will be reduced in his press conference to be held in the evening. The oath taking ceremony will be held in the central stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. It was decided to allow 750 persons in the ceremony.

It has been decided to include only 250-300 persons. As the capital district is heading towards triple lockdown, widespread criticism was raised from different corners over allowing such a large number of people to the ceremony. The government realised that if more than 600 persons are allowed then it will give a wrong message and therefore it decided to reduce the number of invited guests to the ceremony.

The oath taking ceremony will be held on May 20 at 3.30 pm. Earlier, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also said that the number of those participating in the ceremony will be reduced. Meanwhile, the construction of the venue is going on at the central stadium. Only the ministers, their close relatives and other high ranking officials will be allowed to take part in the programme.

Those who take part in the ceremony must have either covid negative certificate or certificate of having both doses of vaccination. The oath taking ceremony of the second Pinarayi government will be held on coming 20th. Indian medical association in a letter addressed to the chief minister has said that the government must conduct the oath taking ceremony in a virtual platform to avoid crowding.