THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On Wednesday, the state cabinet granted in-principle approval to secure a loan of ₹1,500 crore from Hudco, guaranteed by the government, through KURDFC for the LIFE Mission housing initiative.
Of the total ₹1,500 crore, ₹1,100 crore will fund the construction of 127,601 houses, while ₹400 crore will be allocated for housing assistance to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries in gram panchayats where they make up the majority of the LIFE list.
The borrowing will occur over two years, with ₹750 crore earmarked for each of the fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. The loan will be repaid over 15 years by deducting amounts from the development fund of local bodies through KURDFC, while the government will cover the annual interest from its budget.
Onam Gift for Scheduled Tribes:
A total of 52,864 Scheduled Tribe individuals over the age of 60, excluding pensioners in central, state, and semi-government institutions, will receive ₹1,000 each as an Onam gift in 2025. This initiative will be funded with ₹5.28 crore from the Chief Minister’s distress relief fund.
Bonus for PSU Employees:
Guidelines for issuing bonuses to public sector undertaking employees in Kerala for the financial year 2024-25 will be released, based on feedback from the industries, planning, and finance departments.
Creation of New Posts:
New teaching positions are set to be established in five newly opened government nursing colleges located in Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Palakkad, Wayanad, and Kasaragod. Each of these institutions will receive one assistant professor and one associate professor role. Additionally, the Nursing College Annex in Thiruvananthapuram will have two assistant professors and one associate professor created.
In nine newly launched KSBC FL warehouses across Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, and Kozhikode, three excise circle inspectors, three preventive officers, and three civil excise officers will be appointed for a one-year term.
Reappointment:
Retired IHRD associate professor P. Suresh Kumar will be reappointed as the managing director of the Centre for Advanced Printing and Training.
File Adalat Progress Reviewed: The cabinet evaluated the progress of the file adalat ongoing from July 1 to August 31, aimed at clearing pending files up to May 31 in the Secretariat and departmental offices. Departments that did not meet prior targets will be called in for meetings, and concerned ministers and secretaries will be instructed to take more decisive actions.
Rebuild Kerala Initiative: The cabinet approved various departmental projects for inclusion in the Rebuild Kerala Initiative, which includes three roads in Pathanamthitta and nine in Kollam from the public works department, along with three roads in Vattavada panchayat, Idukki from the local self-government department.
