LDF government to probe all 'controversial' UDF decisions

CPI-M led LDF government in Kerala, which assumed office today, decided to examine all the "controversial and illegal" decisions taken by previous Congress-led UDF regime after January 1.
Addressing a press conference after the first cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said a cabinet sub- committee headed by the Minister for Law and Culture A K Balan will examine all the "controversial and illegal" decisions taken after January 1 by the previous UDF rule. The UDF government had come under attack for taking decisions, including assigning lands for private estate owners. Later, it was forced to withdraw some of its orders following protests.

Asked if the government would be presenting a white paper on the state's finances, Vijayan said Kerala's financial situation was in a "bad state".
"But I cannot make any comment without going into it," he said, adding in today's cabinet this was not discussed.
On the LDF government's liqour policy, he said: "Today's cabinet did not discuss it. But it is a matter, we will have to look into."
LDF has made it clear that it was for reducing consumption of liqour in a phased manner, while UDF's liqour policy was for total prohibition in the next 10 years.

The previous Congress-led UDF government has closed down over 700 liqour bars.

The Left front has, however, been ambiguous about whether it will be re-opening the closed bars.
To a question on the ban on supply of beef in the canteen at the Police Academy in Thrissur, he said every citizen had the freedom to choose the food he wants.
"If it is banned due to some other reasons, it will not be allowed," he added.
On other cabinet decisions, Vijayan said that in accordance with its promise, the LDF government decided to increase the amount of all welfare pensions.
Steps would also be taken to ensure that the pension amount reached the beneficiaries at their home.

It was also decided to clear arrears of the welfare pensions, he said, adding the Chief Secretary has been asked to finalise the modalities.
Vijayan 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. "I am not saying that no reception should be held, but forcing children and women to take part in it should be avoided," he added.
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The LDF government decided to continue with the State Planning Board.
It also resolved to frame 13th five year plan for the state and local bodies, he said.

To check the rise in prices of essential commodities, the cabinet earmarked Rs 75 crore in addition to the Rs 75 crore already allotted in the state budget.
The amount would be utilised for strengthening the public retail outlets of State Civil Supplies Corporation, he said.
Steps also would be taken to professionalise the functioning of Civil Supplies Corporation, he added.
Asked whether government would continue with the Karunya benevolent fund, Vijayan said LDF was not against any schemes which would benefit the people, "but was against schemes that would cause hardships to the people".
In view of the complaints from youth organisations that there was an unannounced ban on recruitments in government services, he said cabinet has decided to ask all heads of departments to report within 10 days the number of vacancies prevailing.

Chief Secretary has been asked to monitor the report on a daily basis, he said.