Kerala

George Kurian exits Council of Ministers; reshuffle buzz gains traction

BJP did not renominate Kurian to the Rajya Sabha; his exit has renewed speculation about a possible Cabinet reshuffle ahead

A post-poll fiscal reality check: TN and Kerala face rising debt pressure

New governments in Tamil Nadu and Kerala have released white papers on state finances, but economists say debt figures alone do not capture the full fiscal picture

Kerala Budget boosts sports and culture with stadium, film city projects

The revised Kerala Budget for 2026-27 presented in the Assembly by Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday gave a major push to the sports and cultural sectors, announcing projects, including an international-standard football stadium in Malabar, a film city in Kochi and a cultural park in Kozhikode. In a move likely to enthuse football fans, especially in north Kerala, Satheesan announced the construction of a world-class football stadium in the Malabar region and allocated Rs 50 crore for the project. Referring to the state's passion for football, he said a world-class stadium was essential to systematically identify and train football talent and host prestigious international matches. "Recognising the immense passion and profound love for the game among football fans in Kerala, an international standard football stadium equipped with ultra-modern facilities will be constructed in the Malabar region. An amount of Rs 50 crore is allocated for this project," he said. In the first ..

Revised Kerala Budget combines tax relief with fiscal consolidation efforts

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

Kerala Budget proposes land law reforms to accelerate industrial growth

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

Kerala records 70 Shigella cases, 4 deaths in June: Health minister

Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Tuesday said that since January this year, 146 cases of Shigella were reported in the state and of those 70 were in June. Speaking to reporters here after chairing a review meeting, Muraleedharan said that of the five Shigella deaths, one was in March and the remaining four were in June. The highest number of cases -- 74 -- of the bacterial infection from January to June were reported from Kozhikode, followed by Malappuram -- 25, including two deaths -- and then Thiruvananthapuram -- also 25 cases of infection, according to the figures given by the minister. No Shigella cases were reported from Pathanamthitta, Palakkad and Kasaragod districts of the state till now this year, he said. Shigella is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps. It spreads mainly through contaminated food or water and through contact with infected persons.

Kerala's free bus scheme for women, trans persons to roll out on Monday

For thousands of women who travel daily for work, education, and household needs, travel expenses will no longer be a concern from Monday as Kerala launches 'Priyadarshini', a free travel scheme in ordinary KSRTC buses for women and transgender persons. The scheme, which forms part of the Congress-led government's five 'Indira Guarantees' announced during the Assembly election campaign, will initially be available on all ordinary KSRTC services across the state from June 15. As part of the first phase, women of all ages and transgender persons will be eligible for free travel irrespective of income, social status or any other criteria. No prior registration, documentation or application process will be required, official sources said. Passengers will only need to obtain a zero-value 'Priyadarshini' ticket from conductors through the Electronic Ticket Machine (ETM) while travelling. The ticketing system will digitally record every journey, enabling transparent accounting and ...

Ticket to Kerala: Tracing Malayalam cinema's rise to a national force

The book by S R Praveen, who has been a film critic for many years, is a culmination of years spent watching, questioning and writing about cinema

Kerala on Nipah alert after Kozhikode man's preliminary test turns positive

Kerala is on high alert after the preliminary test of a 43-year-old man for Nipah virus infection at the Government Medical College here returned positive, officials said on Thursday. Officials said samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation, and the results are expected shortly. The Health Department has initiated measures to trace and isolate those who came into contact with the patient, a businessman from Feroke. According to health officials, the man, who was initially admitted to a private hospital, was shifted to the Government Medical College on Wednesday and is on ventilator support. Nipah virus is spread by fruit bats, and Kerala has reported multiple outbreaks since 2018. Health Minister K Muraleedharan told reporters late on Wednesday night that directions had been issued to health officials in Kozhikode to remain vigilant. "The NIV result is awaited for final confirmation. Based on the symptoms and preliminary test, it

Why Kerala is on alert over two diseases: Shigellosis and West Nile fever

The state has intensified surveillance and disease-control measures as shigellosis cases rise and a second suspected West Nile death emerges

ED approaches court seeking SFIO documents in CMRL money laundering case

The ED, which is probing a money laundering case linked to CMRL and involving former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena T, has approached a court here seeking access to documents collected by the SFIO during its investigation into the matter. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a petition before the Special Court for the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kochi seeking copies of documents gathered by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), which had investigated alleged "fake" expenses admitted by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) before the Income Tax Settlement Commission. ED sources said the documents sought by the agency include records related to Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, the company owned by Veena, which was engaged in IT consultancy services. The agency has requested the court to direct the SFIO to provide copies of documents collected during its investigation. The petition is likely to be considered next week. The ED pr

Monsoon reaches Kerala, three days later than usual amid El Nino scare

The onset of rains marks the start of the monsoon's four-month-long journey over the Indian mainland that ends in September

Monsoon reaches Kerala after three day delay, brings relief from heatwave

Last month, the India Meteorological ‌Department forecast an El Nino-weakened monsoon in 2026 that ‌will bring ​the lowest rainfall ​in 11 years

Violence breaks outside Pinarayi's home as ED raids premises in CMRL case

A sense of rude shock gripped Kerala on Wednesday as ED officials raided the places linked to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the state in the alleged CMRL monthly payment case, allegedly involving his daughter. Armed central security personnel stood guard outside the two-storey house at Bakery junction and his residence in Kannur district while Enforcement Directorate (ED) teams carried out searches there. Television reporters, cameramen and photographers rushed to the places soon after news of the raid broke. Sources said Vijayan, a politburo member of the CPI(M), and his family members were inside his rented residence at Bakery junction in the state capital during the searches. Simultaneous raids were also being conducted at the Kozhikode residence of his son-in-law and former minister P A Mohammed Riyas. CPI(M) workers assembled outside Vijayan's residence in Pinarayi village in Kannur district and raised slogans against the ED, alleging it was a "politically motivat

ED searches Pinarayi Vijayan's residence in CMRL money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at the residence of former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others as part of its investigation into the CMRL money laundering case, officials said. They said a total of 10 premsies in the state, including Vijayan's rental house in the state capital here, are being raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). It is alleged that a private company named Cochin Minerals And Rutile Ltd (CMRL), made an illegal payment of Rs 1.72 crore to Vijayan's daughter T Veena's company -- Exalogic Solutions -- during 2018 to 2019, even though the IT firm had not provided any service to the company. On Tuesday, the Kerala High Court dismissed a petition filed by the CMRL seeking to quash the ED proceedings in the case. The ED had filed a PMLA case to probe the allegations in 2024.

V D Satheesan meets Sonia, Rahul during first Delhi visit as Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Saturday met top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge during his first visit to Delhi after assuming office. Satheesan also called on AICC general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the visit. The chief minister, who arrived in the national capital late on Friday night, thanked the Congress high command for its support during the Assembly election campaign, party sources said. According to sources, organisational matters and things related to the functioning of the newly formed UDF government in Kerala figured prominently in the discussions with senior leaders. The visit also comes amid discussions within the Congress over the appointment of a new Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president. There were indications that the CM may also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an available day next week, though there was no immediate officia

A 'balanced' chief minister: Kerala's new CM faces a tough balancing act

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

Kerala govt forms first-ever AI Ministry; PK Kunhalikutty gets charge

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 govt scraps Silverline project, to revoke land acquisition notices

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.

Kerala govt forms expert panel to prepare white paper on state finance

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