Kerala Cabinet Announces ₹8 Lakh Aid for Rain Deaths, Clears Road Safety Campaign

The Kerala Cabinet has decided to provide ₹8 lakh each as financial assistance to the families of those who died in recent rainfall-related incidents across the State. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, speaking after the weekly Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, said nine people had lost their lives in the incidents, while one person remains missing.

Five of the deaths occurred in flash floods in Malappuram district, where one individual is still unaccounted for. Two people each died in Idukki and Kottayam districts, the Chief Minister said.

Road Safety Campaign

The Cabinet also cleared a proposal for a 'Road Safety Campaign' aimed at significantly reducing road accidents. Mr. Satheesan noted an alarming rise in such incidents in the State. The campaign, to be led by the Transport Department with coordination among various government departments, will follow the model of Operation Toofan, the Home Department's drive against narcotics. "On the one hand, there will be awareness programmes. On the other, there will be strict enforcement," the Chief Minister said, seeking public support for the initiative.

Festival Kerala

The government will organise a nationwide 'Festival Kerala' to mark the 70th anniversary of the State's formation. Events will be held in major cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata to showcase the State's culture, art forms, tourism and investment potential. The Cabinet constituted a sub-committee chaired by the Chief Minister, with Minister for Culture P.C. Vishnunadh as its convenor, to organise the festival. Mr. Satheesan said the events in Indian cities will form the first phase, and a decision on holding similar events abroad will be taken in the second stage.

Department Renamed

The Cabinet also decided to rename the newly constituted Elderly Welfare Department as the Department for Senior Citizens.