UDF govt. has made headway in delivering ‘governance with empathy,’ says Keralam CM

Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Monday said attempts by vested interests to discredit the State government will be emphatically rejected. In its first 100 days, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government has made headway in delivering ‘governance with empathy,’ the Chief Minister said. He also outlined programmes aimed at positioning Keralam as a hub for digital technologies, semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI).

The government completes 100 days on Tuesday (August 25). In a special article marking the milestone, Mr. Satheesan said the government will not succumb to pressure groups, but will try its best to resolve any problem. Neither the Chief Minister nor the Ministers were above criticism. Criticism will be faced with tolerance, and the government will not hesitate to make corrections if there is substance in it, he said.

Invest Kerala Cell

In tune with the changing needs, the government plans to create an Invest Kerala Cell (for attracting investments) alongside new foreign investment policies, AI data centres and a ‘SEMICON Kerala’ programme for the semiconductor sector. “In the first phase, investments worth ₹2,145 crore and 31,000-plus jobs are expected in this sector,” he said. The Information Technology department will be renamed as the department of ‘IT, Artificial Intelligence and Future Technologies.’ The Kerala State IT Mission will be transformed as Digital Technology Mission.

Mr. Satheesan alleged that a group, with the support of certain media establishments, worked to discredit the government before it had turned three months old. “But their allegations lacked the lifespan of even 24 hours,” he said. The government has placed emphasis on taking forward comprehensive development and social welfare on a balanced note, the Chief Minister said.

On the election promises and Indira Guarantees, he said the government has already introduced free travel for women in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses and created a dedicated department for elderly welfare. The government has also announced a 100-day programme (from July 1, 2026, onwards) under which 597 schemes are being implemented. Work is progressing on ‘Mission Samudra’ through which the government aims to develop Keralam as a ‘Port City.’ This is a ₹400 crore project for transforming the State’s coast into a global manufacturing hub, Mr. Satheesan said.

Mr. Satheesan also drew attention to the ‘Operation Toofan’ anti-narcotics drive, timely welfare pension payments, and measures to arrest price rise during Onam among the 100-day achievements of the government. “Hundred days is a small period. But the government can, with confidence, say that it has been able to move forward towards its goal of governance with empathy,” Mr. Satheesan said, in a direct reference to his Revised Budget speech in June where he called for cooperation to create a ‘Puthuyuga Vikasitha Keralam’ by providing governance with empathy.