Thiruvananthapuram, May 19 -- The newly sworn-in United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala on Monday approved a slew of welfare measures, including free rides in state-run KSRTC buses for women from June 15, a Rs.3000 increase in the monthly honorariums of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and the formation of a dedicated department for the welfare of the elderly population in the state.

Chief minister VD Satheesan annnounced the decisions. Two of these- the free bus rides for women and the department to look after the elderly population's welfare counted among the UDF election manifesto's five "Indira Guarantees". The free bus rides scheme was implemented earlier in Congress-ruled Telangana and Karnataka.

Satheesan sa...