Kerala Government

Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Thursday said serious irregularities had come to light in Kerala PSC and necessary action would be taken after the investigation is completed. Addressing a press conference here, Satheesan said "shocking information" had been received regarding the alleged irregularities in the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) and that a serious investigation was underway. The state government has ordered a Crime Branch probe into examinations conducted by the PSC and appointments made to government services under the previous CPI (M)-led LDF regime. "A serious investigation is taking place in the PSC based on reports that widespread irregularities are happening there. I cannot say much; all the information we have received is shocking. Isn't that why we are conducting an investigation," he said. "It is not right for me to comment on it while the investigation is ongoing. A very serious investigation is taking place based on very serious allegations that came up

The UDF government in Kerala is likely to order a probe into alleged irregularities and procedural lapses in the previous LDF government's efforts to bring football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to the state. Indicating the possibility of an investigation, state Sports Minister O J Janeesh on Wednesday rejected former minister V Abdurahiman's defence of the proposal and alleged that government machinery was misused to facilitate financial gains for a private individual. Janeesh said there was no substance in Abdurahiman's claim that the government had not suffered any financial loss in connection with the proposed event. He alleged that official procedures were not followed from the beginning and that there was a lack of transparency in selecting the sponsor and dealing with the proposal. "The government machinery was misused for a private event management company. From the Chief Secretary to the district collector, police and Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA

With more than one in five residents aged 60 or above and fertility well below replacement level, Kerala is confronting the challenges of an ageing population before the rest of India

The landslide occurred after a large quantity of excavated earth, removed as part of the tunnel construction project, collapsed onto the site

Adani Group has approached the Kerala government for approval of its proposed $1.4 billion stake sale in Vizhinjam Port after the transaction triggered political objections

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said Adani Ports cannot transfer its shares in the Vizhinjam International Seaport here without the prior approval of the state government. Replying to a question in the Assembly, he said there have been media reports regarding the proposed stake transfer, but the company has not approached the government seeking approval. "As per the agreement, they cannot transfer these shares without the government's approval. The approval of the State Government is mandatory, and in certain matters, the approval of the Central Government is also required," Satheesan said. He said no request seeking such approval has been received by the government so far. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) on Tuesday said Switzerland-based MSC, the world's largest shipping transport and logistics conglomerate, will acquire a 49 per cent stake in its Vizhinjam port in Kerala for about USD 1.4 billion. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) will make the

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday announced a series of tax relief measures, amnesty schemes and revisions to vehicle taxes while presenting the revised state Budget in the Assembly, saying the steps are aimed at easing the burden on taxpayers, supporting businesses and improving revenue mobilisation. The revised Budget estimates for 2026-27 project revenue receipts of Rs 1,69,646.37 crore against revenue expenditure of Rs 2,05,001.67 crore, resulting in a revenue deficit of Rs 35,355.30 crore. The Budget estimates capital expenditure (Net) at Rs 19,651.41 crore, public debt (Net) at Rs 52,364.13 crore, and an overall deficit of Rs 41.23 crore. The government has also announced additional expenditure of Rs 1,080.95 crore, taking the cumulative deficit at the end of the year to Rs 1,504.63 crore. One of the key tax relief announcements was the Flood Cess Arrears Settlement Scheme, 2026. The chief minister, who holds finance portfolio, noted that although the one per cent

As part of the policy, a robust land management framework will be established, supported by necessary legislation, to create a land bank utilising surplus and unused land parcels

The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of former IAS officer Elias George as Federal Bank's part-time chairman for three years

There's no denying that the new Kerala CM is swimming in a sea of sharks. He must prove that he can fend them off

The state government officially released the notification for the allocation of portfolios among its cabinet members, with Chief Minister VD Satheesan retaining several key departments

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said that his government has decided to scrap the Silverline high-speed rail project, an ambitious initiative of the previous LDF administration. Satheesan said at a press conference here that the notifications with regard to acquiring land for the project will be revoked. Besides that, the government will also recommend withdrawal of the criminal cases lodged against those who opposed the Silverline project, and it will be subject to the court's decision, the CM said after a Cabinet meeting chaired by him. The cabinet also decided to extend the validity of the public service commission's rank lists till November 30, as hardly any appointments were made during the election period, Satheesan said.

The UDF government on Tuesday announced the formation of a special committee to prepare a white paper on Kerala's financial position, following the first UDF Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister V D Satheesan. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of senior Finance Department officials chaired by the chief minister. According to a CMO statement, the committee will be headed by former Cabinet Secretary Dr K M Chandrasekhar. Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) K R Jyothilal has been appointed as the Convener. The panel will also include economist Dr Narayana and Centre for Development Studies (CDS) Director Dr Veeramani as members, the statement said. The white paper is expected to provide a clearer picture of the state's financial health and help guide future policy decisions, the statement added. The UDF has been alleging that the state's finances were in trouble due to mismanagement under the Left rule, an allegation that was strongly rejected by then Finance Minis

V D Satheesan on Monday took oath as Kerala's Chief Minister, and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to the Congress Legislature Party leader here. Satheesan took oath in the name of God. Besides Satheesan, his 20-member Cabinet will also be sworn in by the Governor. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others, attended the swearing-in ceremony. Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states, former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Left leaders, and BJP representatives also attended the ceremony. Thousands of Congress workers arrived in the state capital from across Kerala for the event. The Assembly elections to the 140-member House were held on April 9, with the results declared on May 4. The Congress-led UDF won 102 seats, while the LDF secured 35 and the BJP won three.

Vadasseri Damodara Menon Satheesan, who was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday, is a lawyer-turned-politician from Kochi who rose through the ranks of the Congress party with a reputation for sharp speeches and organisational discipline. Known for his calm public style and aggressive attacks on the Left government inside the Assembly, V D Satheesan--called VD or VDS by his supporters--became the face of the Congress revival in Kerala after he was made Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly five years ago. As Leader of the Opposition, Satheesan put the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government on defensive mode on various issues, including alleged nepotism and financial irregularities, pushed the Congress towards younger leadership and a more energetic campaign. He led the Congress-led UDF to power in the April 9 polls, marking the alliance's return to power in Kerala after a decade. Supporters see him as practical and accessible, while critics say his biggest

The decision was taken at a meeting of newly elected Congress MLAs at the KPCC headquarters, ending days of internal deliberations over the state leadership

The 61-year-old leader is widely credited with the United Democratic Front's (UDF's) historic 102-seat victory in the 16th Assembly elections held last month

Kerala is likely to know the name of its next Chief Minister later on Wednesday, with indications that the Congress high command could make an announcement before noon. The delay in the decision has kept the camps of three top contenders--AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala on edge. As the Congress leadership continued discussions over the selection of Kerala's next Chief Minister, party leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday met former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) presidents in Delhi to gather their views and help end the prolonged uncertainty. Sources said the Kerala leaders called to Delhi by the party leadership during crucial discussions on Tuesday expressed their views on the Chief Ministerial choice, with the names of Venugopal, Satheesan and Chennithala figuring prominently in the consultations as the high command continued its deliberations. Former KPCC chief K Muraleedharan, after meeting Gandhi

As lobbying intensifies among the three top contenders for the chief minister's post, senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan on Saturday said the party high command was likely to take a final decision on Kerala's next CM within 24 hours. The UDF's sweeping Assembly poll victory in Kerala has triggered a wave of lobbying and demonstrations by the supporters of senior leaders V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and K C Venugopal, urging the Congress leadership to select the respective leaders as the new CM. "The information from Delhi is that discussions on the chief ministerial candidate will be completed within 24 hours," Muraleedharan told reporters. Acknowledging public fervour, he emphasised that flex boards and marches alone would not determine the leadership. He added that the views of MLAs and coalition partners would also be considered by the Congress leadership. "I will not publicly reveal what I told the high command representatives. I have conveyed the sentiments of the pe

HDFC Bank management and India's banking regulator denied any governance or financial problems at the lender, but its stock fell 12 per cent over three days after Chakraborty's exit