K V Thomas to get Rs one lakh as honorarium, will have three staffs and driver

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet convened here today decided to grant an honorarium of Rs 1 lakh monthly to Kerala's special representative in Delhi and former Union Minister K V Thomas instead of salary and allowances. Permission has been given to appoint two assistants, an office attendant and a driver.

Other decisions
The cabinet meeting approved the continuation of 81 temporary batches allotted in 2022-23 and increase in marginal seats for Plus One single window admission for the year 2023-24 in higher secondary schools in the state.

18 science batches, 49 humanities batches and 8 commerce batches will continue for the academic year 2022-23. 81 temporary batches including two science batches permitted temporarily, one commerce batch and one humanities batch in Kannur K K N Pariyaram Memorial School will continue.

In seven districts namely Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod, marginal seat increase will be made by 30 percent in government higher secondary schools and 20 percent in aided higher secondary schools. An additional 10 percent marginal seat increase will be allowed for aided higher secondary schools. There will also be 20% marginal seat increase in government aided higher secondary schools in Kollam, Ernakulam and Thrissur.

Padma Award: Screening Committee to choose nominees
A special inspection committee (ministerial sub-committee) will be formed to identify and consider the nominees for the 2024 Padma Awards. The panel led by Minister Saji Cherian as the convenor and chief secretary as the secretary will have Ministers K Rajan, K Krishnankutty, A K Saseendran, advocate Antony Raju, Roshyi Augustine and Ahmed Devarkovil as members.