Keralam's new UDF Govt forms expert panel to prepare White Paper on State's finances
Thiruvananthapuram, May 19
The Congress-led United Democratic Front government on Tuesday announced the formation of a special committee to prepare a White Paper on Keralam's financial condition.
The committee will be headed by former Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, and Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) K R Jyothilal has been appointed as convener, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said today.
Economist Dr Narayanan and Centre for Development Studies (CDS) Director Dr Veeramani are the other members of the committee, he said.
Yesterday, following a meeting of his Cabinet after a swearing in cermony of his government, Satheesan had announced the white paper to give people a clear picture of the state's financial health.
In the run-up to the Assembly elections, the UDF has alleged mismanagement of Keralam's finances under the previous Left Democratic Front government.
Meanwhile, the cabinet also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged attacks on Congress leaders during the Nava Kerala Yatra, led by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in 2023.
"The first Cabinet meeting to bring Indira guarantees given by UDF - a free bus journey in KSRTC buses from 15th June. We are going to constitute a new department for old aged persons. The Cabinet has decided to increase payment to Asha workers by Rs 3000," Satheesan said while addressing a press conference after the Cabinet meeting.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) officially assumed power in Keralam on Monday In a grand, packed ceremony held at the Central Stadium in the state capital, 61-year-old VD Satheesan took the oath of office and secrecy as the state's 13th Chief Minister.
A special assembly session will be held on May 21, where MLAs will be sworn in and Governor's policy declaration will be held on May 29.
— ANI
Reader Comments
White Paper is good, but what about the promises? Free bus travel from June 15 is nice, but how will UDF fund all these 'Indira guarantees' without bankrupting the state? Hope they don't repeat the same mistakes as the previous government. Promises are easy, delivery is hard.
The SIT investigating attacks on Congress leaders during Nava Kerala Yatra is long overdue. Pinarayi Vijayan's yatra had so many violent incidents, and nothing was done. At least now there will be accountability. Kerala's politics needs to move beyond this cycle of revenge and allegations.
Increasing Asha workers' payment by Rs 3,000 is a good first step, but they deserve much more. These women work tirelessly for our health system. Hope the new department for elderly people actually makes a difference. In Kerala, we have an aging population—this is urgent, not just political talk. 🙏
As someone who follows Indian politics from the US, this White Paper approach seems promising. But without independent oversight and public access, it's just another political document. Kerala's debt burden is well-documented—let's see if UDF has real solutions or just blame games.
First cabinet meeting and already they're focusing on bus travel for women and elderly care. That's good, but what about jobs? Kerala's unemployment rate is high. UDF should also look at industry and IT sector growth. Freebies alone won't sustain the economy. Need real development! 💪
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