Kerala on the cusp of new development chapter under Vision 2031, says CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the State government’s ‘Vision 2031’ policy perspective will pave the way for the beginning of a new chapter in Kerala’s history, one that outlines an ambitious roadmap to transform the State into a knowledge-driven, socially just, and democratically vibrant society by its 75th year of statehood.

He was delivering the opening address at a seminar on ‘Secularism, Democracy and Consultative Government’, which marked the culmination of the three-day ‘Vision 2031: An International Conference on Development and Democracy’ in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday (February 17, 2026).

The Chief Minister said the Vision 2031 document has evolved into a shared framework for development through evidence-based discussion and democratic consultation. “The formulation of public policy is not a closed exercise conducted by a few,” Mr. Vijayan said, emphasising that Kerala’s development model is rooted in participatory governance and social consensus.

He affirmed that the State government would initiate follow-up action on the conference recommendations, including legislative measures where necessary. Proposals requiring amendments to laws will be placed before the legislature, while areas demanding further research and planning will be developed into detailed reports. Moreover, viable ideas will be translated into projects and implemented through government and semi-government agencies.

Slams Opposition

Taking a swipe at the Opposition, the Chief Minister alleged that certain quarters had attempted to derail the Vision 2031 conference. “They even tried to prevent some invited guests from participating. However, such efforts had no bearing on the event,” he said.

Highlighting Kerala’s historic milestones, from land reforms and investments in public health and education to decentralised planning, the State’s development has been marked by “continuous renewal”, he said.

Mr. Vijayan highlighted that Kerala declared itself the first Indian State to be free of extreme poverty in November 2025, an achievement he described as the cumulative result of decades of public investment and grassroots participation rather than a single welfare scheme.

New challenge

He, however, acknowledged that the State faces a new challenge of transforming from a high human development society to a knowledge-driven economy that generates quality employment while maintaining environmental sustainability and social commitments.

During this address, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to senior Congress leader and former Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar for his remarks during the conference in which he praised Kerala as India’s leading example in decentralisation.

He added the government is seriously considering comprehensive legislative reforms to the Kerala Municipal and Panchayati Raj Acts to strengthen administrative capacity, financial autonomy and accountability. Notably, the recently approved Urban Policy proposes a committee to recommend amendments to the Municipal Act, while the Local Self-Government department’s Vision 2031 document calls for reforms to the Panchayati Raj Act.

Addressing concerns over rising social polarisation, Mr. Vijayan stressed that secularism in Kerala is not merely a constitutional principle, but a lived social practice embedded in everyday life.

“At a time when many societies across the world are witnessing growing polarisation, Kerala has largely managed to preserve social harmony. This was the result of conscious political choices, inclusive public institutions and a culture of mutual respect,” he said.