Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Soon after taking oath as Kerala chief minister on Monday, May 18, VD Satheesan convened his first Cabinet meeting and announced some of its decisions.

As promised by the UDF manifesto, the government has announced free KSRTC bus travel for women from June 15. Besides, the UDF government declared a dedicated department for the welfare of the elderly. Announcing the decision, the chief minister said that two of the five guarantees in the elections promise of the UDF government have now been completed. The Cabinet also decided to make Rs 3000 salary hike in the honorarium of ASHA workers.

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The Cabinet also decided to form an SIT to probe the attack on Youth Congress leaders during the Nava Kerala Yatra in 2023. The government also hiked Anganwadi workers incentives by an additional Rs 1000.

As part of austerity plan, Satheesan instructed that official motorcades be limited to a pilot and escort vehicle, refusing heavy security and declaring he would use available official cars rather than purchasing a new one to reduce the burden on the state exchequer.

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