Thiruvananthapuram: With local body elections imminent, the Kerala government on Wednesday made a series of major welfare announcements benefiting pensioners, women, youth, government staff and frontline workers. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the decisions after a cabinet meeting, describing them as comprehensive measures to enhance social welfare across the state.

Welfare pension hike:

Social security pensions, welfare board pensions, and pensions for circus and marginalised workers, currently at ₹1,600 per month, will be increased by ₹400 to ₹2,000 per month.

The government has allocated ₹13,000 crore for this purpose.

Financial aid for women:

Poor women, including trans women from disadvantaged families, who are not currently beneficiaries of any social welfare pension, will receive ₹1,000 per month under a new women’s safety pension scheme.

The scheme targets women aged 35–60 in the AAY (Yellow Card) and PHH priority (Pink Card) categories.

Scholarship for youth – Connect to work:

The state will introduce the Connect to Work scholarship, providing ₹1,000 per month to financially backward youth whose family income is below ₹1 lakh per year.

Students eligible include those who have completed Plus Two, ITI, diploma, or degree programs and are pursuing skill courses or preparing for competitive exams.

The scheme targets youth aged 18–30, and around five lakh students are expected to benefit, with an annual government expenditure of ₹600 crore.

Other key announcements:

  • Kudumbashree ADS members will receive ₹1,000 per month as an operational grant for 19,400 units, totalling ₹23.4 lakh per year.
  • Government staff, teachers, and pensioners will receive a 4% DA (Dearness Allowance) hike starting November, included in November salaries and pensions.
  • Anganwadi workers and helpers will get a ₹1,000 increase in their monthly honorarium.
  • ASHA workers will also receive ₹1,000 extra per month.
  • Pre-primary teachers and ayahs (support staff) will get ₹1,000 monthly salary hike.
  • Guest lecturers will receive a maximum increase of ₹2,000 per month.
  • The daily wage of 13,327 food service workers will be raised by ₹50.
  • The Minimum Support Price (MSP) will be raised from ₹28.20 to ₹30 per kg.
  • The support price for rubber will be increased from ₹180 to ₹200 per kg.

These measures represent one of the largest welfare and salary initiatives in Kerala in recent years, aiming to cover a wide range of beneficiaries, from students and youth to women, pensioners, and frontline workers.