Kerala raises women’s share of police constable recruitment to 30%

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Kerala’s Cabinet has approved an increase in women’s share of police constable recruitment to 30% from 10%, alongside higher housing assistance for disadvantaged communities and an investigation into alleged irregularities in land acquisition in Kannur.

The male-to-female recruitment ratio for police constable posts will change from 9:1 to 7:3 to strengthen women’s representation in the force, according to a summary of Cabinet decisions shared by V.D. Satheesan.

The Cabinet also decided to report 48 of 86 reallocated sub-inspector posts to the state Public Service Commission as regular vacancies.

Under a special housing scheme granted administrative approval, assistance for Scheduled Caste families and fishing community beneficiaries will rise to ₹6 lakh from ₹4 lakh. Assistance for Scheduled Tribe families will increase to ₹8 lakh from ₹6 lakh.

The Cabinet separately gave in-principle approval to a bill proposing higher salaries and allowances for ministers and members of the Legislative Assembly. The summary did not specify the proposed increases.

On land acquisition, the Cabinet tasked State Vigilance with conducting a detailed investigation into alleged procedural lapses in Kannur district involving the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board, or KIIFB. The Finance and Revenue departments will provide technical assistance.

The Cabinet also approved a government job for Athulya, daughter of Sudhakaran, who was killed in the Nenmara double murder in Palakkad on January 27, 2025. Her younger sister, Akhila, will receive special financial assistance for higher education.

Shooter Vidarsa K. Vinod, who won two silver medals for India at the 2026 Asian Games, will also be offered government employment, according to the announcement.

Acting on a recommendation from the state commission for backward classes, the Cabinet approved the inclusion of the Pattariya and Saliya communities in the Other Backward Classes list under the state’s service rules.

Pattariya will be included under Entry No. 55 and Saliya under Entry No. 62 in Part I, Schedule III of the State and Subordinate Services Rules, 1958.