THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet meeting held on Wednesday decided to probe the fire incident in the protocol department of the secretariat and the security lapses in the secretariat complex. The Home Department entrusted the additional chief secretary to look into the issue.

The cabinet meeting also took stock of the actions taken in connection with the fire accident occurred in the North Sandwich block of the secretariat the other day. The fire in the protocol department had ignited controversy. Political leaders including K Surendran and others entered the secretariat and protested after the incident, which is also seen as a serious security lapse.

Meanwhile, the cabinet meeting approved the salary revision of the teachers in medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy and non-medical sections under the Directorate of Medical Education with effect from January 1, 2016. Non Practicing Allowance (NPA) and Patient Care Allowance (PCA) provided to the teachers of the medical and dental departments will be continued. The last salary division was done on January 1, 2006.

It has also been decided to provide the compensation for the fishing equipment which were damaged in rough sea in 9 districts after the monsoon in 2018. Rs 51.49 lakh in total for completely damaged items and Rs 2.4 crore in total for the partially damaged equipment were allotted from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

Apart from this, various other decisions were taken in the cabinet meeting including the implementation of e-governance in agricultural department, revision of allowances provided to the employees of Indian institute of Handloom Technology, providing Rs 1000 as COVID allowance for the cooking staff in schools among other decisions.

A decision was also taken to provide compensation for the fishing equipment damaged in monsoon season of 2018. Rs 51.49 lakh for completely damaged items and Rs 2.4 crore for the partially damaged equipment were allotted from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). This will be distributed in nine districts.

Decisions on implementation of e-governance in agricultural department, revision of allowances provided to the employees of Indian institute of Handloom Technology, providing Rs 1000 as COVID allowance for the cooking staff in schools were also taken.