THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet that convened here today decided to appoint Sarada Muraleedharan as the next chief secretary of Kerala. She is presently planning additional chief secretary. She will be replacing Dr V Venu retiring on August 31. She is wife of V Venu.

The cabinet also decided to grant Rs 2 crore to P R Sreejesh, a member of the Indian hockey team, who got bronze medal in the Paris Olympics of 2024.

The cabinet meet also decided to distribute free Onam kit containing 13 items of essential items to AAY card holders and residents of welfare institutions in the state. 34.29 crores have been sanctioned to Supplyco in advance for it. The kit is distributed through ration shops. A total of 5,99,000 kits will be distributed.

According to the recruitment of government and aided schools in the state for the academic year 2023-2024, 957 additional posts will be allocated in 513 schools in the government sector and 1368 additional posts in 699 aided schools.

A total of 2325 teaching and non-teaching posts will be allotted from 1212 schools. There will be a financial burden of Rs 8,47,74,200 monthly. This will be effective from October 1, 2023.