Kerala Government Appoints Retired Judge P Ubaid as New KAAPA Advisory Board Chairman

Retired High Court Judge P Ubaid has been appointed as the chairman of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act advisory board. This board reviews KAAPA cases and provides recommendations on detainees. Ubaid will also head advisory boards under various other acts. Additionally, bonuses for public sector employees and relief fund distributions were discussed.

The Kerala government has appointed retired High Court Judge P Ubaid as the new chairman of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) advisory board, effective Wednesday. Ubaid will oversee the review of cases under the KAAPA and make recommendations on whether to continue detentions or release individuals.

During a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, it was also decided to appoint Justice Ubaid as the chairman of advisory boards under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities (COFEPOSA) Act, and the National Security Act (NSA), according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).

Furthermore, as the Onam festival approaches, the state Cabinet announced bonuses for public sector institution employees. The bonuses will be at least equivalent to last year's amounts, with consideration for increased distribution proportional to each institution's profit share. The CMO also disclosed that Rs 3.24 crore was distributed from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund to 1,828 beneficiaries between August 28 and September 3.

(With inputs from agencies.)