Keralam’s new UDF Govt forms expert panel to prepare White Paper on State’s finances

Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government on Tuesday announced the formation of a special committee to prepare a white paper on Kerala’s financial situation.The committee will be headed by former Cabinet Secretary KM Chandrasekhar, and Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) KR Jyotilal has been appointed as the convener, Chief Minister VD Sathisan said today.Other members of the committee are economist Dr Narayanan and Center for Development Studies (CDS) director Dr Birmare.Yesterday, after his government’s swearing-in ceremony followed by his cabinet meeting, Satisan announced the white paper to give the public a clear picture of the state’s financial health.In the run-up to the assembly elections, the UDF alleged mismanagement of Kerala’s finances under the previous Left Democratic Front government.Meanwhile, the Cabinet has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged assault on Congress leaders during the Nava Kerala Yatra in 2023 led by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.“In the first cabinet meeting to bring Indira guarantee free bus travel in KSRTC buses from June 15 for UDF. We are going to form a new section for senior citizens. The cabinet has decided to increase the salary of ASHA workers by Rs 3000,” Satisan said while addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting.The Congress-led UDF formally took power in Kerala on Monday. In a lavish, packed ceremony held at the state capital’s Central Stadium, 61-year-old VD Satisan took the oath of office and secrecy as the state’s 13th chief minister.A special assembly session will be held on May 21, where legislators will take oath, and the governor’s policy announcement will take place on May 29.