Kerala cabinet clears Governor's policy address; Apu John Joseph to be chief whip

The Kerala cabinet approved the policy address to be delivered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in the state Assembly on May 29.

A special meeting of the Kerala cabinet on Monday approved the policy address to be delivered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar in the state Assembly later this week, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said.

Addressing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Satheesan said the special sitting was convened as Wednesday would be a holiday on account of Bakrid.

The Governor is scheduled to present the policy address in the Assembly on May 29.

The cabinet also decided to appoint Kerala Congress (J) MLA Apu John Joseph as the chief whip in the Assembly.

Satheesan said the cabinet discussed the subjects and responsibilities to be brought under the newly formed Department for Senior Citizens Affairs.

Certain matters currently handled by the Social Justice Department would be shifted to the new department, he said.

A high-level meeting of ministers and district collectors to review monsoon preparedness would be held on Wednesday morning, the chief minister added.

In another major appointment cleared by the cabinet, advocate K C Vincent has been selected for appointment as Additional Advocate General in the Kerala High Court, Satheesan said.