T’puram: The cabinet on Tuesday decided to raise the upper age limit for applying for Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examinations by four years, increasing the maximum age for the general category from 36 to 40 years. The corresponding relaxation will also apply to other categories eligible for age concessions, effectively extending their upper age limits by an additional four years.Group insurance for housesIn-principle approval was given for a comprehensive group insurance scheme to provide financial protection to houses damaged by natural disasters. It will be implemented through the state insurance department.Based on the recommendations of a committee led by Planning Board member Ravi Raman and a subsequent study under Rebuild Kerala Initiative, the scheme will adopt a climate-risk insurance framework combining parametric and indemnity models.Under the parametric insurance model, the state will receive immediate compensation if disaster indicators such as rainfall, floods or wind speed cross pre-determined thresholds in a specified area, without individual damage assessment. The payout will be used for relief and rehabilitation as per a standard operating procedure. The policy period will be five years, with an annual premium estimated at Rs 15-40 crore depending on coverage.The indemnity insurance component will cover 32.3 lakh BPL families, with compensation paid directly to house owners after a survey and govt verification, including geo-tagging. Coverage per house will be up to Rs 10 lakh, including house damage, household articles and rental assistance. The premium is fixed at Rs 250 per house, amounting to Rs 80.75 crore annually.The total annual expenditure is estimated at approximately Rs 120.75 crore, to be shared equally from the state’s consolidated fund and the chief minister’s distress relief fund. A detailed framework will be prepared in consultation with the concerned departments and agencies.JB Koshy Commission reportThe report of Justice J B Koshy Commission was approved in principle and it was decided to publish it officially. The cabinet also took decisions on 32 further recommendations.It was decided that the condition restricting eligibility for Latin Catholic community certificates to those who joined the faith before 1947 and their descendants was unscientific. The year 1947 will no longer be treated as a criterion. Certificates issued by bishops concerned will be treated as supporting documents and caste or community certificates may be issued based on a local inquiry conducted by the village officer and verification by revenue authorities.Naming of govt edu institutionsThe cabinet decided that no future govt-owned educational institution will be given a religion-based name. Sub-centres offering free coaching for competitive examinations conducted by agencies such as the Kerala PSC, Union PSC, Railway Recruitment Board and Banking Service Commission as well as for entrance examinations to various courses will be set up in migrant farmer-dominated hilly regions of Kannur, Idukki and eastern Kottayam and in coastal regions of Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram with significant fisherfolk populations.An office of the Converted Christians Corporation will be opened in Kannur district. E-grant scholarships will be restored to students admitted on merit in community quota seats.
