Thiruvananthapuram: The first cabinet meeting chaired by Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Sunday approved a series of major welfare measures, including free travel for women in KSRTC buses from June 15 and the formation of a separate ministry for elderly welfare modelled on international best practices, including systems followed in Japan.

Addressing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Satheesan said the government would conduct a detailed study on establishing a dedicated ministry for senior citizens as Kerala faces the challenges of a rapidly ageing population. He said the initiative would draw lessons from the Japanese model of elderly care and social support.

The Chief Minister also announced a ₹3,000 increase in monthly honorarium for ASHA workers despite the state's financial constraints, benefiting thousands of Accredited Social Health Activists across Kerala who had repeatedly demanded better remuneration. He added that the government will soon publish a white paper to inform the public about the economy's current state.

The cabinet further decided to increase the monthly honorarium of anganwadi workers and helpers by ₹1,000. Wages of cooking staff in schools, pre-primary teachers, and ayahs were also raised by ₹1,000.

Satheesan has also ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team to reinvestigate the alleged assault on Congress workers by the gunmen of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the 2023 Nava Kerala Sadas outreach programme.

The cabinet selected former CPM leader G Sudhakaran as the pro tem Speaker. It also recommended to the Governor the convening of the new Assembly session. The swearing-in of newly elected MLAs will take place on May 21, the Speaker will be elected on May 22, and the Governor's policy address will be delivered on May 29. The government also appointed Jaju Babu as the new Advocate General and T Asaf Ali as the Director General of Prosecution.

The free bus travel scheme for women was one of the flagship promises in the UDF's Assembly election manifesto. The coalition had pledged to introduce free travel for all women in KSRTC buses as part of a broader welfare and gender empowerment package. The manifesto had also promised ₹1,000 monthly financial assistance for every college-going girl student, an increase in welfare pensions to ₹3,000 per month, ₹25 lakh health insurance coverage for every household, and interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh for youth entrepreneurs.

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