Another top move to drive away KSRTC’s confidence

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To address the shortage of doctors in the state, the government on Wednesday decided to raise their pension age. The pension age of doctors under Directorate of Health Services has been raised from 56 to 60 while those under the Directorate of Medical Education has been raised to 62 from 60. The Cabinet meet on Wednesday made the decision. Announcing this, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the decision will ensure qualitative improvement in the state’s health sector. “Shortage of experienced doctors has been a major issue.

Taking this into account, the government decided to increase the pension age of doctors in Kerala,” Pinarayi said. The pension age of doctors with medical colleges in other states are: Bihar (67), Andhra Pradesh (58), Telangana (60), Maharashtra (60), Karnataka (60), Tamil Nadu (58), Gujarat (62) and UP(62).

• The salaries of employees with the Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd will be revised.
• The luggage allowance given to police personnel and camp followers on special duty during Sabarimala festival season has been increased to D200 from D150.
• A decision was taken to sanction vacant houses and flats, constructed under the Tsunami scheme, to people under the Life Mission. The flats will be allotted in the absence of beneficiaries under the Tsunami scheme. Fishermen families will be given priority.
• The Cabinet decided to recommend to the Governor to promulgate an ordinance to modify the Calicut University Senate and Syndicate by incorporating government nominees. The ordinance is being brought in taking into account the delay for setting up the new Senate and Syndicate.

T’Puram: The state government has decided to leave appointments to the Kerala State Wakf Board to the Public Service Commission (PSC).  The Cabinet decided to recommend to the Governor to promulgate an ordinance in this regard. The remaining vacancies will be reported to the PSC. A decision has also been taken to purchase computers, laptops, printers, scanner and other IT equipment to government departments, local bodies and commissions through a centralised system.

T’Puram: The Cabinet decided to install a statue of Sree Narayana Guru in the capital city as part of the centenary of the social reformer’s “casteless proclamation”. A committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Revenue P H Kurian was formed to find a suitable location and submit recommendations. The committee should submit its report in a month’s time. The 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Kerala will be celebrated from November 27 to December 28.

Other decisions

• Salaries of employees with the Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd will be revised.
• Moratorium on bank attachments on loans availed of by endosulfan victims will be extended by another year.
• The luggage allowance given to police personnel and camp followers on special duty during Sabarimala festival season increased to D200 from D150.