Today, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to change the name of the State of Kerala to Keralam. After the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefed the media, stating that after Cabinet approval, the President of India will refer a Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala to obtain its views. "After receiving the views of the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala, the Government of India will take further action, and the recommendation of the President will be obtained for introducing the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, in Parliament to change the name of the State of Kerala to "Keralam," he said. He also stated that the Legislative Assembly of Kerala had passed a resolution on June 24, 2024, to change the name of the State of Kerala to Keralam.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved three multi-tracking projects covering eight districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. The total estimated cost of the projects is ₹9,720 crore and they are expected to be completed by 2030-31. Mr. Vaishnaw said the projects will double the Gondia-Jabalpur railway line, add the third and fourth lines between Punaruk and Kiul in Bihar, and also add the third and fourth lines between Gamharia and Chandil in Jharkhand. He stated that this will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by approximately 307 kilometers.
The Minister stated that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved the development of the Civil Enclave at the Srinagar International Airport, estimated at ₹1,677 crore. He said this would mark a major milestone in strengthening aviation infrastructure and connectivity in the Kashmir Valley. Mr. Vaishnaw also mentioned that the project includes the construction of barracks for security personnel. The project spans 73 acres.
The Cabinet approved the extension of the existing North-South corridor from GIFT City to Shahpur of the Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited. Mr. Vaishnaw said the corridor will be 3.33 kilometers long and include three elevated stations. He stated that the project is scheduled to be completed in approximately four years. The estimated cost of the project is over ₹1,670 crore.
The Minister said the Cabinet approved enhanced delegation to POWERGRID from the existing guidelines on delegation of powers to Maharatna CPSEs, increasing the equity investment threshold from ₹5,000 crore per subsidiary to ₹7,500 crore per subsidiary. He said this approval will enable POWERGRID to expand its investment in its core business and support the evacuation of renewable energy capacity, helping achieve the target of 500 Giga Watt from non-fossil-based sources.
Mr. Vaishnaw said the Cabinet approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Raw Jute for the marketing season 2026-27. He said the MSP for Raw Jute (TD-3 grade) has been fixed at ₹5,925 per quintal for the 2026-27 season. He added that this will ensure a return of 61.8% over the all-India weighted average cost of production. He also said that the MSP of Raw Jute for the Marketing season 2026-27 is an increase of ₹275 per quintal over the previous Marketing season 2025-26.
Today, the Union Cabinet reiterated its commitment to make Seva Teerth a global example of sensitive, accountable, and citizen-centric governance. Mr. Vaishnaw said, in the Seva Sankalp Resolution taken in the first meeting of the Cabinet in Seva Teerth today, the Cabinet resolved that in the journey to make India a prosperous, capable, and self-reliant nation by 2047, this premise will serve as a powerful centre of national aspirations. "The Union Cabinet reiterated its resolve that every decision taken in Seva Teerth will be inspired by a spirit of service towards 1.4 billion citizens and will be connected to the broader goal of nation-building. It also reiterated its resolve that every decision taken in these premises will be inspired by the sentiment of ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’. The Cabinet took a firm resolve that with the new energy of Seva Teerth and the rapid pace of the Reform Express, the Government will fulfil its commitment to secure India’s place among the top three economies of the world in the near future.
