Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has clarified that there has been no change in the UDF’s political decision not to continue the Loka Kerala Sabha.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, the government is not considering conducting the Loka Kerala Sabha in the manner in which it was organised during the previous LDF government.
The government has also clarified that not even a single rupee has been allocated for the sixth edition of the Loka Kerala Sabha.
No change in the decision
The Chief Minister’s Office said that the decision not to continue the Loka Kerala Sabha is a political decision of the UDF and that there has been no change in that position.
The government is not considering organising the Loka Kerala Sabha in the format followed during the LDF administration.
This clarification effectively distinguishes the continuation of existing administrative arrangements from any decision to conduct a new edition of the Loka Kerala Sabha.
Existing Secretariat office continues
The Loka Kerala Sabha Secretariat currently has an office, the Chief Minister’s Office said.
Funds have been allocated for the administrative expenses of the existing Secretariat, but this should not be interpreted as an allocation for conducting the sixth edition of the Loka Kerala Sabha.
NORKA business leadership programmes
The government has also allocated funds for programmes conducted through NORKA, including Business Leadership Meets.
These programmes are separate from conducting the Loka Kerala Sabha in the format followed under the previous LDF government.
Expatriate welfare remains a priority
The government has stressed that the decision regarding the Loka Kerala Sabha does not mean that expatriate welfare has been given less importance.
Expatriate welfare programmes remain a top priority of the government, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.
Funds have also been allocated for preliminary activities aimed at implementing proposals related to expatriate welfare.
