The Kerala cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, approved a wide-ranging set of administrative and staffing reforms aimed at strengthening public services and regularising long-serving temporary employees across the state. Decisions taken at the meeting cover new recruitments, the establishment of tribunal support staff, retirement-age standardisation for state corporations and targeted financial measures for infrastructure and welfare claims.
Kerala cabinet decisions deliver jobs and administrative reforms
One of the headline measures is the creation of 159 posts to support the operations of the Kochi Cancer Research Centre. The sanctioned posts include 91 permanent positions and 68 contractual roles, a move intended to bolster clinical and research capacity at the centre and improve patient care and scientific output.
The cabinet also sanctioned 12 scientific officer posts across the forensic science laboratory, distributed among the biology, chemistry and documents sections. These appointments are expected to enhance forensic capabilities and expedite casework for criminal and civil investigations.
To improve access to administrative justice, the government approved 22 additional posts for the extra bench of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal at Thalassery. Of these, 16 are new positions while six are redeployments. Funds have been allocated for civil and electrical works and office facilities to make the tribunal fully operational.
In a move affecting the workforce of state-run enterprises, the cabinet standardised the retirement age at 60 for employees of the Kerala Agro Machinery Corporation Limited (KAMCO) and raised the retirement age to 60 for staff at the Kerala Livestock Development Board. The changes are intended to bring consistency to service rules and retain experienced personnel in key public bodies.
The government also resolved to regularise part-time contingent staff who have completed ten years or more of service in establishments under local self-government institutions. This measure applies to personnel working at cultural centres, panchayat libraries, childcare centres and nursery schools. Eligible categories such as librarians, nursery teachers and ayahs will be considered for appointment as part-time contingent employees, formalising long-standing arrangements and providing greater job security.
On infrastructure and compensation, the cabinet approved a special rehabilitation package related to the Udupi–Karinthalam interstate transmission line project in Kasaragod district. The financial liability for the package will be borne by the contractor, Uduppi Kasaragod Transmission Limited, thereby limiting the state’s direct fiscal exposure.
Addressing long-standing welfare concerns, the cabinet recommended clearing salary arrears owed to junior health inspectors who worked in Endosulfan-affected areas. The measure is part of wider efforts to resolve historical claims connected to industrial pesticide exposure.
For disaster management in Kuttanad, the state authorised payments covering hired pump sets and fuel costs from the district collector’s disaster response funds, aimed at preventing and mitigating seasonal flooding. Finally, the cabinet appointed C.P. Manoj Kumar as the new Managing Director of the Kerala Agro Industries Corporation Limited, signalling leadership renewal in the corporation.
Collectively, the decisions reflect a focus on strengthening public institutions, improving service delivery and addressing legacy welfare issues through targeted fiscal and administrative steps.
Key Takeaways:
- Kerala cabinet decisions create 159 posts for Kochi Cancer Research Centre and add scientific officer roles in forensic labs.
- Long-serving temporary staff in cultural units, libraries and nursery schools to be permanentised as part-time contingent employees.
- Administrative tribunal bench in Thalassery to get 22 posts; retirement age for select state corporations raised to 60.
- Compensation package approved for Kasaragod transmission project, arrears for Endosulfan-era health inspectors recommended.
