Panel to select Padma award nominees to be set up

Thiruvananthapuram: A cabinet meeting held on Wednesday decided to constitute a scrutiny committee, headed by cultural affairs minister Saji Cherian, to identify and recommend suitable persons for Padma Awards 2026 and to finalise the list of nominees. The panel, which will function as a cabinet sub-committee, includes ministers K Rajan, K Krishnankutty, AK Saseendran, KB Ganesh Kumar, Roshy Augustine and Ramachandran Kadannappally. The chief secretary will serve as the secretary of the committee.
Land allocation for disabled youth: The cabinet approved the allotment of six cents of land in Bedadukka village, Kasaragod district, to cerebral palsy-affected Ratheesh to construct a house. The new plot, which has better transport connectivity, is being granted in exchange for land that was earlier in his father's ownership and surrendered to govt. The property will be registered in his mother Kausalya's name as a special humanitarian case.
New posting at Malabar Cements: KV Balakrishnan Nair, hailing from Keezhillam in Ernakulam, was appointed as managing director of Malabar Cements Ltd. He was selected from the list provided by Kerala Public Enterprises Selection and Recruitment Board.
Salary revision for KMML officers: The cabinet approved a salary revision for officers of Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML), effective for five years from Jan 1, 2020.
Stamp duty and registration fee waiver: Govt decided to waive the stamp duty and registration fee of homes and plots donated by St Mary's Church, Kadayanickad, to eight families residing on church-owned land.
Sports council pension action ratified: Kerala State Sports Council's implementation of pension revisions based on 10th Pay Commission without prior govt approval was ratified, following council's explanation. Based on sports council's statement, govt also approved the release of Rs 11,28,15,304 to cover the benefits of retired council employees.
Draft policy approved for dredging earth for NH development: The cabinet granted approval to a draft policy framework permitting contracted agencies of National Highways Authority of India to dredge and remove earth from 11 reservoirs in the state. The policy provides for assessing the quality of dredged soil to determine its suitability for highway development and construction and grants limited rights for its use accordingly.