Keralam govt introduces new mechanism to ensure timely implementation of Budget projects

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan The Keralam government has decided to introduce a new mechanism to ensure the timely and effective implementation of projects announced in the Budget.Addressing mediapersons after the State Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said the new system is aimed at addressing delays and shortcomings that had affected the implementation of Budget projects in the past and ensuring greater credibility to Budget announcements.Round-table conferencesAs part of the initiative, the government will organise round-table conferences in Thiruvananthapuram from September 16 to 18. The programme will bring together officials from different departments and a wide range of stakeholders to work out detailed implementation plans for major projects.The government had announced 73 projects covering over 40 departments in the revised Budget. Of these, 63 are inter-departmental projects requiring the involvement of multiple departments, while the remaining projects fall under individual departments.According to the Chief Minister, inter-departmental coordination has often been a major reason for delays in implementing projects. The new mechanism is intended to address the lacunae by clearly defining the responsibilities of each department and stakeholder, fixing implementation timelines and determining the appropriate implementation and economic models for individual projects.The projects have been grouped into six clusters, with 34 projects selected for detailed discussions. A knowledge partner has also been selected to support the exercise.The round-table conferences will examine the scope of each project, its strategic objectives and key components, as well as its implementation and economic models. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) will subsequently be prepared for each project.The government plans to involve a broad range of stakeholders in the discussions, including think tanks, policy experts, academics, research and technical institutions, multilateral and bilateral development partners, financial institutions, investors, industries and industry associations, and startups.Mr. Satheesan added that the terms of reference for the exercise has already been prepared. Besides, the projects had been categorised department-wise and allotted to the respective departments at the time of the Budget announcement itself, he said.Other Cabinet decisionsThe other decisions include the appointment of a panel of senior advocates to conduct cases on behalf of the State. The retirement age of District Judicial Officers in Keralam has been raised to 62 years. The decision has been taken in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court, Mr. Satheesan pointed out.Former Kerala High Court judge C. Pratheep Kumar was appointed Ombudsman for Local Self-Government Institutions.The Cabinet also sanctioned ₹5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund to the survivor of an assault in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Kozhikode Government Medical College in 2023. Published - September 09, 2026 12:09 pm IST