Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday (August 13, 2026) said the State government would mount strong political and, if necessary, legal opposition to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by the Lok Sabha a day ago.

He said the legislation amounts to “a serious encroachment on the State’s constitutional powers over land and poses a grave threat to India’s federal structure.”

Addressing mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting, Mr. Satheesan said the State’s principal objection was that the proposed amendment seeks to bring powers relating to land, a domain that comes under Entry 18 of the State List of the Indian Constitution, within the Centre’s sphere of authority.

He pointed out that the Constitution clearly distributes legislative powers between the Union, State and Concurrent Lists. While the Union has legislative authority over matters in the Union List, States have exclusive authority over subjects in the State List, and both have powers over subjects in the Concurrent List. Land, he pointed out, falls under Entry 18 of the State List and therefore comes within the legislative jurisdiction of the States.

He alleged that the Centre was attempting to expand its jurisdiction through the definition of “mineral-bearing land”, without even excluding coastal areas and forests. The State government will formally convey its protest to the Centre. It would also consider legal remedies if the Bill is ultimately passed and becomes law.

Vizhinjam port to begin EXIM cargo movement

Mr. Satheesan announced that direct export-import (EXIM) cargo movement at the Vizhinjam International Seaport will begin on August 18.

Vizhinjam has thus far been handling transshipment operations alone. Around 60% of the containers handled there have been containers originating from or destined for other countries.

The commencement of direct EXIM cargo movement will mark the first major milestone towards ensuring that the State begins to receive the direct economic benefits of the international port.

The Customs Commissionerate has already issued the necessary public notices for the commencement of EXIM cargo movement, he said.

A temporary road connection from the port road to national highway 66 has also been completed in accordance with the directions of the National Highways Authority of India. This arrangement has been put in place to facilitate cargo movement between the port and the national highway.

Mr. Satheesan added that the absence of an existing Container Freight Station facility in Thiruvananthapuram has necessitated an arrangement within the port itself. A Customs-bonded area has therefore been established inside the port, and the related work is progressing.

Aid for Wayanad landslide victims

The Cabinet also decided to provide an additional ₹2 lakh in financial assistance to all beneficiaries included in the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide rehabilitation list. He said the measure had been proposed earlier and that the government had now decided to implement it fully, with an expenditure of over ₹5 crore.

The Cabinet also decided to proceed with signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) required for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0 through the Local Self-Government Department.

The Chief Minister informed that the Centre has placed certain conditions for the signing of the agreement. Among them is a requirement concerning the use of an emblem or logo associated with the scheme.

He said while there was no requirement to display a photograph of the Prime Minister, a logo or emblem specified as a condition by the Centre would have to be accepted when the MoU is signed.

The government has also issued guidelines for providing the bonus for the 2025-26 financial year to employees of public-sector institutions in Kerala.

Published - August 13, 2026 01:55 pm IST