Keralam’s new UDF Govt forms expert panel to prepare White Paper on State’s finances
Photo credit: ANI
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) 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 KM Chandrasekhar, and additional chief secretary (finance) KR Jyothilal has been appointed as convener, chief minister VD Satheesan said today.Economist Dr Narayanan and Centre for Development Studies (CDS) director Dr Veeramare 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 June 15. 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 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.
