Kerala govt okays Rs 1,800 crore to clear welfare pension arrears

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has sanctioned Rs 1,800 crore for clearing welfare pension arrears. The government has now decided to clear the arrears before December 15 and pension is due for many since October.
It is estimated that 52 lakh people are given welfare pensions in Kerala and steps will be taken to ascertain if ineligible persons are getting pensions. The monthly welfare pension is Rs 1,600, said finance minister KN Balagopal.
Balagopal said that approximately one-sixth of the state population is receiving welfare pensions. Welfare pension is a huge financial liability for the government and hence it has become imperative to weed out ineligible beneficiaries.
It was found that around 4,000 people who are government employees were receiving welfare pensions and they were removed from the list immediately. Such pruning of the list is essential, he added.
Cabinet decisions
Ration retained: The teacher student ratio in aided high schools will be retained as 1:40 for the academic year 2022-23. The cabinet decided to retain the present ratio for one more academic year.
Dept support: It has been decided to conduct the Young Innovation Programme 2022 under Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council with the support of all departments and universities.
New institute: An organ and tissue transplant institute will be set up in Kozhikode and Dr Biju P, professor in surgical gastroenterology of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of PG Medical Education and Research was named as the director of this institute.
Digital science park: The cabinet gave administrative sanction to set up a digital science park under the digital university with KIIFB funding. Of the Rs 1,515 crore (estimated) project cost, KIIFB would provide Rs 1,175 crore. Remaining funds will be sourced from other avenues, including those who are ready to invest in the park.
Law amendment: A notification will be issued to do away with the turnover tax imposed over distilleries and increase KGST by 4%. The bill to amend the KGST Act will be brought in the assembly. Another bill to amend Kerala Cooperative Societies Act 1969 will also be brought before the assembly.
Land acquisition: For Bekal-Kovalam waterway, the government gave sanction to acquire 44,156ha in Kasaragod to create an artificial canal for which funds will be provided by KIIFB.