The 19-member Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala cabinet has got straight down to business by announcing some popular decisions. The government's initial decisions include reconstitution of the police team probing the murder of law student Jisha and a review of the controversial decisions by the previous UDF government. The decisions, setting in motions the pre-poll promises of the LDF, show the new government is serious about hewing a path different from that of the UDF. The last of the ones on our list, especially, deserves a big hand.
1. Woman top cop to probe Jisha murder
ADGP B Sandhya will head the new team to probe the case which shook the conscience of Kerala in the days of electioneering. The cabinet also has ordered to construct a new house for Jisha's family within 45 days and disburse a monthly pension of Rs 5,000 to the victim's mother. Bold and humanitarian the decisions look.
2. Digging the grave of UDF decisions
A cabinet sub-committee headed by the minister for aw and culture A K Balan will examine all the "controversial and illegal" decisions taken after January 1 by the previous UDF rule. The decision sends out a strong message that the government is serious about tackling corruption. But how far will the new government go? Let's wait for the review panel's findings.
3. Hike in welfare pensions
In accordance with its promise, the LDF government decided to increase the amount of all welfare pensions and ensure that the money reached the beneficiaries at their home – Pinarayi wants to emphasize his government's humane and popular face.
4. Stay back in the capital: CM to ministers
In an apparent bid to ensure the smooth functioning of various departments, the CM has directed all ministers to be present in Thiruvananthapuram five days a week for the first six months. Perhaps the captain believes in a coordinated teamwork.
5. Don't trouble women, kids for official functions
The CM said there was a general consensus in the cabinet that children and women lining up with 'thalappoli' for receiving ministers during functions should be done away with. It may sound trivial, but the decision needs a good round of applause.