Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) With memories of the devastating 2018 floods haunting the state once again, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Monday convened an emergency meeting of District Collectors and senior officials as relentless rain continued to batter Kerala, triggering widespread flooding, landslides, evacuations and growing public anxiety over whether the state could be headed towards another major disaster. The high-level online meeting, which is underway, comprises District Collectors, the Ministers for Home and Revenue, district in-charge ministers, and the Chief Secretary, who will review the rain situation across the state, the functioning of relief camps, rescue operations and precautionary measures.

Thiruvananthapuram, July 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday congratulated NASA astronaut Anil Menon, whose roots are in Palakkad, on successfully entering the International Space Station (ISS) and said that the state salutes his dedication. Menon arrived safely at the ISS after launching aboard Russia's Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft, beginning his first spaceflight on an eight-month mission focused on scientific research and technology demonstrations. In a post on X, Satheesan said, "Dr. Anil Menon, a NASA astronaut with roots in Ottapalam, Palakkad, has successfully entered the International Space Station (ISS) for an 8-month mission.

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) The V.D. Satheesan government has ruled out holding the Loka Kerala Sabha in its existing format, making it clear that there is no change in the UDF government's decision to discontinue the controversial platform set up by the previous LDF regime. The Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement on Monday that organising the Loka Kerala Sabha in the manner in which it was conducted during the LDF government was not under the government’s consideration. It also made it clear that not a single rupee has been earmarked for the sixth edition of the Lok Kerala Sabha in the coming financial year.

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday unveiled an ambitious maritime vision for Kerala, declaring that the commencement of full-fledged EXIM operations at Vizhinjam International Seaport marks the opening of the country’s new maritime gateway through this port, which will transform Kerala into a port city through 'Mission Samudra'. Just before addressing the august gathering, Chief Minister Satheesan, standing at the gate of the port, waved two containers into the port for the first time. Addressing the historic launch of land-based export-import operations at the Vizhinjam International Seaport, Chief Minister Satheesan said Kerala could now ship its products directly to any part of the world and must seize the opportunity created by the deep-water transshipment port.

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday said the controversial agreement with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) linked to Lionel Messi’s proposed visit to the state in 2025 was being subjected to a detailed probe, with preliminary findings pointing to grave errors and possible GST violations. Satheesan said the agreement had been handed over to a private company without inviting an Expression of Interest, while the state government appeared to have been kept in the dark. “We are seriously looking into it,” he said, adding that the Finance Department would take steps to recover any loss to the exchequer if GST violations were established.

Thiruvananthapuram, July 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bringing the curtain down on an eight-year-old controversy, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has closed its probe into allegations against Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan over the collection of funds in the UK for rebuilding homes after the devastating 2018 Kerala floods. Announcing the decision, state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Thursday said the Vigilance probe had found no evidence whatsoever of any wrongdoing by the Chief Minister and that the case had been formally wound up after the VACB Director submitted his final report. "There is no Vigilance angle in the matter, and the case has been closed.

Wayanad, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Rescue operations at the landslide site in Kalladi, Wayanad, will continue on Wednesday, with Kerala Ministers T. Siddique and A.P. Anil Kumar announcing that a comprehensive search will be carried out to trace the five persons still missing. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who is in the state capital, will reach the disaster site at around 1 p.m. on Wednesday. He will leave for Wayanad immediately after briefing the media following the weekly Cabinet meeting. After visiting the affected area, Minister T. Siddique told reporters late on Tuesday night that only three people have been confirmed dead in the landslide, while five others remain missing.

Thiruvananthapuram/Wayanad, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday held an emergency meeting with Agriculture Minister T. Siddique, who hails from Wayanad, following reports of a mudslide at the Wayanad end of the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi tunnel road project. The Chief Minister directed that rescue and relief operations be coordinated on a war footing and instructed Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar and Agriculture Minister Siddique to proceed to Wayanad immediately to oversee the rescue efforts. The incident occurred near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi, close to the tunnel construction site. Preliminary information suggests the mudslide was worsened by huge mounds of excavated earth that had been stacked at the construction site.

Thiruvananthapuram, June 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) Escalating his government's crackdown on the narcotics menace, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has reached out to his counterparts in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, seeking a coordinated regional offensive against interstate drug trafficking networks that have increasingly turned South India into a major transit and distribution corridor. In letters sent to the three Chief Ministers, Satheesan called for stronger cooperation under Kerala's flagship anti-drug campaign, 'Operation Toofan', which has intensified intelligence-led policing, targeted financial networks of traffickers and moved to seize illegally acquired assets. The Chief Minister pointed out that drug syndicates now operate seamlessly across state borders, making isolated action inadequate.

Kochi, June 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Sunday paid an emotional tribute to veteran actor Salim Kumar, describing his death as not merely the loss of a gifted artist to Malayalam cinema, but a deeply personal loss of “a brother”. The beloved actor, who passed away late Saturday night at a private hospital in Kochi following health complications, will be laid to rest at his residence in North Paravur on Sunday evening. He was 56. In a heartfelt condolence message, CM Satheesan said Malayalam cinema has lost one of its most talented performers, while he has lost a cherished friend and brother.

Thiruvananthapuram, June 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Kerala’s new government has inherited a severe financial challenge, with the state facing outstanding liabilities of Rs 5.07 lakh crore, committed expenditure eating up 77 per cent of total revenue receipts, and interest payments alone consuming nearly 21 per cent of revenue, according to the White Paper on the state’s finances tabled in the Assembly on Thursday. The Status Report on Kerala’s fiscal health, presented by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, said the objective was not to revisit the past with criticism but to present an evidence-based assessment of the financial position and the challenges ahead.

Thiruvananthapuram, June 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) In one of the most significant administrative reforms undertaken by the newly elected UDF government, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has initiated a comprehensive restructuring of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), signalling a decisive shift in the functioning of the state's premier infrastructure financing agency. Even though it’s just two weeks since taking over, he has held two special meetings on the working and functioning of KIIFB. The move is being projected as part of a broader effort to bring greater transparency, accountability and financial discipline to public institutions.

New Delhi, May 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) In his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after leading the Congress-led UDF to a sweeping victory in the Kerala Assembly elections, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday held crucial talks with the PM in New Delhi, signalling the start of the new state government’s engagement with the Centre. The PMO office posted pictures of the meeting between the two. The nearly 20-minute meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office assumed political significance, coming just days after the change of guard in Kerala, ending the decade-long rule of the Left Democratic Front led by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Kochi, May 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Monday strongly defended the appointment of former Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U. Khelkar as his secretary and dismissed the controversy surrounding his recent visit to the Guruvayoor Sree Krishna temple. Speaking to the media after a special Cabinet meeting, Satheesan said he failed to understand the needless controversy over Khelkar’s appointment. He pointed out that Khelkar is an All India Service officer attached to Kerala and has an excellent service record. The Chief Minister said once elections are over, the role of the Chief Electoral Officer also ends, and officials are free to be posted elsewhere after due clearance.

Thiruvananthapuram, May 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delivering on election promises within hours of assuming office, the maiden cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Monday rolled out a series of sweeping welfare decisions, signalling the beginning of an aggressive people-centric governance model under the new Congress-led UDF government. In perhaps the biggest announcement of the day, the government declared free travel for women in KSRTC buses from June 15, implementing one of the five guarantees promised by the UDF during the election campaign. CM Satheesan also announced the creation of a separate department for the welfare of senior citizens, describing it as the first such initiative in the country.

Thiruvananthapuram, May 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Heavy rain failed to dampen the spirit of thousands of jubilant supporters as the new government led by V.D. Satheesan formally stepped into office on Monday, marking the beginning of a new political chapter in Kerala after a gap of 10 years. Soon after the swearing-in ceremony, Satheesan and his 21-member cabinet drove to Lok Bhavan for the customary tea hosted by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. Even as ministers exchanged greetings and settled into the reality of governance, dark clouds gathered over the capital city.