Approval for Reorganisation of GST Department
The Cabinet meeting approved the reorganization of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Department. This is in line with the changes made to the act and its guideline under the new perspectives emerged in the tax system. It has been approved after considering the recommendations of the High Level Committee formed in 2018 for the reorganisation of the department.

According to this, three main sections will be formed in the Goods and Services Tax Department. And they will be 1. Taxpayer Services Division, 2. Audit Division, 3. Intelligence and Enforcement Division. In addition to these three divisions and other existing divisions, Tax Research and Policy Cell, Review Cell, C&AG Cell, Advance Ruling Cell, Public Relations Cell, Central Registration Unit and Inter-Administration Coordination Cell will be newly created at the headquarters to carry out related functions. 140 audit teams will be appointed in seven zones.

Core changes have also been made at the bureaucratic level for the functioning of the new sections. The post of Assistant Commissioner/State Officer will accordingly be upgraded to Deputy Commissioner cadre and 24 such posts will be created. Also, 24 Deputy State Tax Officer/ Assistant State Officer posts will be upgraded to maintain the current strength of Assistant Commissioner/ State Tax Officer. The strength of Assistant State Tax Officer post will be increased from 981 to 1362. 52 head clerk posts and 376 senior clerk posts will be upgraded for this.

KIIFCON Private Limited Company to be Constituted under KIIFB
A private limited company named KIIFCON will be formed under KIIFB. The company will provide consultancy services for infrastructure development projects and related technology in the areas of transport, buildings and mechanical, electrical and plumbing works, urban development, energy and resources, ports and coastal development projects in India and abroad.

The company aims to provide a range of consultancy services under one platform and to realise easy technology transfer across sectors.

It will provide engineering design services in the fields of architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering in India and abroad. The preliminary feasibility studies, environmental and social impact studies, DPR support services and other ancillary services will be provided for the Project Development Service. A study and survey will be conducted for its implementation. KIIFCON will be a private limited company with an authorised capital of Rs. 1 crore.

Initially, 100 percent stake will be held by KIFFB, and then a maximum of 51 percent stake will be allotted to reputed companies through disinvestment according to the decision of the board of directors. Functional directors will be appointed by the government for a term of not less than five years.

Ministers to Receive Independence Day Salutes
Chief Minister and Ministers will receive Independence Day salutes at various programs in different districts on the occasion of Independence Day 2022. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will receive the salutes at Thiruvananthapuram. Ministers including J. Chinchurani (Kollam), Veena George (Pathanamthitta), P. Prasad (Alappuzha) VN Vasavan (Kottayam), Roshi Augustine (Idukki) P. Rajeev (Ernakulam), K. Radhakrishnan (Thrissur), K. Krishnankutty (Palakad), V. Abdurahiman (Malappuram), Adv. P.A. Muhammad Riyas (Kozhikode), A.K. Saseendran (Wayanad), M.V. Govindan Master (Kannur) and Ahamed Devarkovil (Kasargod) will respectively be receiving salutes at their districts.

Approval of Measures regarding Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)
Cabinet decided to approve the steps taken so far to designate Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) around protected areas in the state. The Forest and Wildlife Department approved all the suggestions submitted to the Central Government for issuing the final notification on it excluding the agricultural areas and Government / Semi-Government / Public Institutions in the residential areas from the draft resolution. There were widespread protests against the draft for including residential areas and agricultural land in ESZ around the 23 wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of the state.

Administrative Approval for Pinarayi Education Complex
The Cabinet gave Administrative approval for the construction of an educational complex at Pinarayi Village with KIFFB funding. It will be constructed under IHRD’s coordination on 12.93 acres of land.The Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited (KSITIL) will be appointed as Special Purpose Vehicle for the construction works of the project as per existing norms.

Temporary Posts to be Created
28 temporary posts of Special Public Prosecutors will be created in 28 Fast Track Special Courts vide order dated 04.02.2022.

A post of GIS expert on contract basis will be created in the State Project Management Unit of Kerala Solid Waste Management

Benefits
It has been decided to approve revision of pay scale and benefits of 9 permanent employees and 5 co-terminous employees of Kerala Women Commission with effect from 01.07.2019.

Employees of Kerala Devaswom Recruitment Board will be given the benefits of 11th Pay Revision Order with retrospective effect from 01.07.2019.

Financial Aid
It has been decided to allocate one lakh rupees each to the families of Shanad, Sunil and Muhammad who died by drowing in Palayoor Kazhuthakkal backwaters in Guruvayoor village of Thrissur. Family members like Shanad’s son Varun, Sunil’s son Surya and Mohammad’s son Muhasin will get the aid from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Ex-Servicemen’s Certificate to be Accepted
Decided to issue an order that ex-servicemen who have obtained Army Matriculation Certificate (Indian Army Special Certificate of Education) or equivalent certificate issued by Navy / Air Force are eligible for appointment to the posts for which passing of SSLC is designated as disqualifying.

Stamp Duty Exempted
1,000 beneficiaries of Chittilapilly Housing Scheme will be exempted from stamp duty and registration fee required for registering land purchased for construction.

Will Receive Financial Aid from AFD
Approved to receive 100 million Euros as co-finance from the French bank AFD for the Resilient Kerala Development Program implemented under the Rebuild Kerala Initiative (RKI). The project is being implemented in a Program for Results manner. RKI Additional Chief Secretary and the CEO are given charge to sign the required contracts for this.