T’puram: CM VD Satheesan said Kerala is expecting investments worth Rs 10,000 crore in phase I of its investment scope, while rejecting reports that the government had not met Tata Group over proposed projects in Kerala. After Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, he said photographs of conversations with company representatives had already been made public. He added that the government had taken a decision on the long-pending Malabar Cements-related project and sought further investments from the company.He said several businessmen from India and abroad had submitted investment proposals and the government was studying their economic models. The CM said the government had opened four to five new doors to attract investments to Kerala.Satheesan said the government will introduce a new law to prevent irregularities in universities and professional educational institutions. The legislation will be called the Siddharthan Anti-Ragging Act, in memory of Wayanad Veterinary College student JS Siddharthan, who died after a ragging incident. The government will also launch the Siddharthan relief app to help students report serious incidents directly to the authorities for immediate action.The cabinet also decided to organize a state-wide Onam campaign to support the crisis-hit coir sector. The goal is to eliminate unsold coconut fiber products and revive the industry. Satheesan asked the public and government institutions to purchase a coconut fiber product as part of the campaign.Responding to the dispute over the appointment of government advocates, he said he had met with KSU leaders, listened to their complaints and explained the government’s position. He refuted reports that his office had denied them an appointment. He said he meets with thousands of people regularly and that his office has a mechanism to address their complaints.On the controversy over voluntary organisations, including DYFI, distributing food inside the government hospital premises, Satheesan said the government had no objection and the only issue was the alleged encroachment of the hospital premises and political banners.On the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund (CMDRF), Satheesan alleged that misleading propaganda about deletion of applications was being spread. He said that when his government took office on May 18, there were 34,661 pending applications from the previous government’s tenure (as on June 18, 2026) and the government disposed of 11,174 of them. Between May 18 and July 15, the government received 23,653 new CMDRF applications, of which 9,726 were processed, it said. During this period, the government sanctioned Rs 24.15 crore as medical assistance. The remaining applications will be deleted soon, he added.
