The United Democratic Front (UDF) government has issued an order reconstituting the Kerala State Planning Board with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan as chairperson and former Union Cabinet Secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar as vice chairperson.

The board has been reconstituted since its term is co-terminus with the term of the ruling government.

Mr. Chandrasekhar was vice chairperson of the board during the term of the UDF government from 2011 to 2016 when the late Oommen Chandy was the Chief Minister.

He also headed a special committee that was tasked by the current UDF government to prepare a White Paper on the State’s finances.

Mr. Chandrasekhar’s appointment gains significance in the light of the UDF government’s proposal in the revised Budget for 2026-27 to transform the Kerala State Planning Board into a think tank for playing a greater role in monitoring the implementation of priority projects and acting as a link between civil society organisations and the State government for transforming ideas into practical projects.

However, the Left Democratic Front had expressed grave reservations about the proposal, alleging that the UDF government was openly mimicking the policy of the Union government that had replaced the Planning Commission with the NITI Aayog.

Other members

The other members of the reconstituted Kerala State Planning Board are Minister for Industries and Information Technology P.K. Kunhalikutty; Minister for Electricity and Environment Sunny Joseph; Minister for Water Resources and Housing Mons Joseph; Minister for Forest, Skills, and Cashew Shibu Baby John; and Minister for Transport C.P. John.

Published - July 21, 2026 12:27 pm IST