Kerala Revamps Compassionate Employment Scheme Rules

The Kerala government has revised the rules for its compassionate employment scheme. Approved by the state cabinet, the changes make dependents of deceased government employees eligible for jobs, irrespective of death circumstances. However, ineligibility applies to those receiving an invalid pension or working in aided institutions.

The Kerala government on Wednesday introduced sweeping revisions to its compassionate employment scheme, aimed at offering jobs to the dependents of government employees who die while in service.

The new rules, sanctioned by the state cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, expand eligibility to include dependents regardless of the circumstances surrounding the employee's death, as per an official release from the Chief Minister's Office.

Notably, exemptions exist: dependents of employees receiving invalid pensions, who have extended service, or voluntarily retired, are excluded. Teachers in government colleges qualify, but aided institution staff don't. The rules also establish specific prioritization and documentation requirements for dependents seeking employment under this scheme.

(With inputs from agencies.)