Satheesan questions LDF’s ‘last minute’ move on J.B. Koshy report

Pointing out that the Justice J. B. Koshy Commission submitted its report in 2023, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday questioned the timing and intent of the Left Democratic Front government’s decision to implement the panel’s recommendations with elections around the corner.

“What was this government doing for three years? It is the very same government that kept the report buried all this time that is now making announcements. The report has not even been officially published yet. Only when strong protests were raised did they suddenly declare that the recommendations will be implemented. They are well aware that this government will not have to implement the report,” he said in Kottayam.

Mr. Satheesan also pointed to the government’s delay in implementing its announced pension hike from ₹1,600 to ₹2,500, which remained unchanged for nearly four-and-a-half years. It was only just before the elections that ₹400 was added, he said.

Earlier in the day, the Congress leader held an interaction with representatives from various sectors, including PSC rankholders. Stating that government jobs were the rightful claim of candidates included in the Public Service Commission ranklists, he said all existing vacancies would be filled when the United Democratic Front come to power.

During the event, Mr. Satheesan also spoke about formulating a comprehensive action plan to revive the struggling agriculture sector. The government would facilitate value-addition and marketing of farm products, including rubber. Paddy procurement would be carried out by adding an additional 50% to the cost of cultivation and a commission would be appointed to identify ways to increase farmers’ income, he said.

Students and teachers who participated in the discussion complained that four-year degree programmes were being conducted without adequate preparations. Other assurances extended during the interaction included addressing the shortage of physical education teachers in schools, withdrawing all notifications and cases related to K-Rail, and introducing a data-driven governance system.

The UDF would also work towards resolving the problems faced by various sections, including ASHA workers, cooking staff, anganwadi workers, primary school teachers, labourers, and small traders, he added.

MPs Francis George and N.K. Premachandran, MLAs Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Mons Joseph, DCC president Nattakom Suresh, and UDF chairman E.J. Agasthi also attended the interaction.

Meanwhile, the rally led by Mr. Satheesan resumed from Ettumanur in the morning, proceeded to Vaikom via Kaduthuruthy and entered Alappuzha district in the afternoon.