V.D. Satheesan, who was sworn in as the chief minister of Kerala on Monday, began his first day in office, fulfilling some of the promises the UDF made during the election campaign.
The CM, who chaired the first cabinet meeting, announced that women will be offered free journeys in KSRTC buses in the state from June 15.
"The first cabinet meeting decided to bring the Indira guarantees given by UDF - free bus journey in KSRTC buses from June 15. The details will be informed later," the CM said.
He also announced that for the first time in the country, Kerala will constitute a new department for aged persons.
"We are going to constitute a new department for old aged people. I think this will be the first one in India."
Admitting that "ageing is a big problem" in the state, the chief minister claimed that the civilisation of a society can be measured by the way people respect the old. "Our dream is that a day will come when Kerala will declare to the entire world that we are a civilised society; we are looking after our old-age people."
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The cabinet has also decided to increase the payment to Asha workers by ₹3,000. He said he had visited the protest site of Asha workers multiple times. "I am the one who promised them that their assistance would be announced in the first cabinet. As part of that, a ₹3,000 rupee increase is announced for them at the first stage."
The CM said a decision regarding retirement benefits will be taken and announced within the next month. “After some time, another phase will be announced. The promise made to Asha workers will be kept. The issues of Anganwadi workers and helpers were raised by us in the assembly when we were in the opposition. They will not be forgotten."
Satheesan said the wages of cooks in the state have been increased by ₹1,000. "The honorarium of pre-primary teachers and ayahs has been increased by ₹1,000. These increases have been made after examining the financial liabilities," the CM said.
