3 min readThiruvananthapuramOct 30, 2025 07:50 AM IST
First published on: Oct 30, 2025 at 07:50 AM IST
Increase in monthly welfare pension, ‘safety’ aid for women from weaker sections, and hike in rubber support price – these are among the major welfare schemes that the CPI(M)-led Kerala government announced Wednesday with an eye on the upcoming local body elections.
Local body elections covering 1,200 village panchayats, municipalities and corporations are likely to be held in the first week of December. With the State Election Commission expected to announce the schedule next week, the cabinet Wednesday unveiled a slew of welfare measures. Besides, the state Assembly election is slated to be held in April-May next year, and CPI(M) is making a bid for a third term.
One of the highlights is the increase in the monthly welfare pension from Rs 1,600 to Rs 2,000, benefiting around 49 lakh people in various categories. The increase was part of the LDF’s 2021 Assembly election manifesto.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced a new scheme, ‘Women Safety Project’, which envisages a monthly aid of Rs 1,000 for women from weaker sections between the ages of 35 and 60 who are not covered under any existing scheme. Around 31.34 lakh women will benefit from the project, which will cost Rs 3,800 crore annually.
The support price of natural rubber has been raised from Rs 180 to Rs 200. CPI(M) ally Kerala Congress (M) had been demanding the hike to placate rubber growers in central Kerala. The honorarium of the ASHA workers, who have been on an indefinite strike in the state capital of Thiruvananthapuram for months now, has been increased by Rs 1000/month.
Another new scheme, ‘Connect to Work’, will provide Rs 1,000 assistance to youths from families with an annual income below Rs 1 lakh. The government expects 5 lakh youths and students to benefit from the scheme, which will cost Rs 600 crore a year.
The chief minister also announced that arrears of dearness allowance for employees and dearness relief for pensioners will be paid in two instalments this fiscal, with an increase of 4 percent instead of the earlier 2 and 3 per cent. Additionally, one more instalment of DA/DR will be paid this year.
The government has also promised to clear arrears under various schemes and projects, including payments to contractors of the Public Works Department.
In the 2020 local body and 2021 Assembly elections, the CPI(M) had reaped electoral gains from rolling out welfare schemes, including free household kits during the pandemic. This welfare-driven approach had then helped the government tide over anti-incumbency.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced a new scheme, ‘Women Safety Project’, which envisages a monthly aid of Rs 1,000 for women from weaker sections between the ages of 35 and 60 who are not covered under any existing scheme. 
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