In the first Cabinet meeting chaired by new Kerala Chief Minister V D Sathisan on Monday, the United Democratic Front (UDF) government announced free bus travel for women in KSRTC, a dedicated department for elderly care, and $3000 increase in honors for ASHA workers.
The Cabinet also decided to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged attack on Youth Congress leaders during the Nava Kerala Yatra in 2023.
The Prime Minister said that the Council of Ministers approved A $3,000 monthly pay increase for ASHA workers, in fulfillment of a promise they made during their prolonged protest outside the Secretariat.
He also announced a monthly increase of $1000 each for anganwadi workers and helpers, school cooking staff, pre-primary teachers and ayahs.
To become a “model civilized society”: VD Satheesan in Kerala
“A society is judged by the way it treats its elderly citizens. Kerala must become a model civilized society by ensuring decent care for the elderly,” he said.
The Cabinet recommended senior MLA G Sudhakaran as interim Speaker and asked the Governor to convene the Assembly to take oath and elect the Speaker.
He added that according to the timetable announced by the government, representatives will be sworn in on May 21, while elections for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives will be held on May 22.
Read also | V D Sathisan takes oath as the new Chief Minister of Kerala
Rahul Gandhi congratulates Sathisan
Rahul Gandhi congratulated Sathisan and his government after the swearing-in ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram, saying the new government will be guided by the voice of the people.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s victory reflects the mandate of the people and expressed confidence in the new administration.
“The people of Kerala have fought for this government. Their voice will guide it. Hearty congratulations to VD Satheesan ji and the entire government, who will now represent the voice of every Keralite,” he wrote.
Read also | Kerala welcomes new UDF government after 10 years as VD Satheesan takes oath as new president
Sathisan department on Monday
Earlier in the day, Sathisan was sworn in as chief minister, marking the return of the Congress-led United Democratic Front to power in Kerala a decade after its landslide victory in the 2026 Assembly elections.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlikar administered the oath of office to Sathisan and his 20-member cabinet in the presence of senior Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal.
