Thiruvananthapuram, 23 Sept (H.S.): The Kerala cabinet has decided to provide Rs 8 lakh each to the families of people killed in rain-related incidents in Malappuram, Idukki and Kottayam districts, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said after a cabinet meeting.

The relief covers deaths in incidents reported in the three districts over the past few days. The Chief Minister did not specify how many families would receive the assistance.

The government has also decided to dissolve the Loka Kerala Sabha and replace it with a more effective mechanism, he told reporters. He did not give details of the proposed arrangement or say when it would begin.

Satheesan said the government would organise a festival in major Indian cities to showcase Kerala and explore investment opportunities. Chennai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kolkata will host the first events. A decision on holding similar programmes outside India will be taken later.

The cabinet also discussed the rise in road accidents and fatalities across the state. The transport department will lead a road safety campaign in coordination with other departments, with the aim of reducing crashes and deaths.

The campaign will combine public awareness programmes with continued action against traffic violations, Satheesan said. He urged residents to cooperate with the authorities, saying public participation would be essential to making roads safer.

The Chief Minister also announced that the state’s Department of Elderly Welfare would be renamed the Department for Senior Citizens.

The government has yet to announce the schedule for the city festivals or explain how the replacement for the Loka Kerala Sabha will operate.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman