Development becomes truly meaningful only when it reaches every section of society. The same applies to welfare initiatives. When welfare benefits include the majority of people, it gains real value. As Kerala moves closer to the local body elections and with assembly polls on the horizon, the recent welfare announcements made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stand out for their wide reach. The scale of benefits announced in a single day is comparable to what one would expect in a state budget. From social security pensioners, government employees, farmers, women, youth and ASHA workers, the government's support has touched multiple groups.

Among the major highlights are the increase in social security pensions from Rs 1,600 to Rs 2,000 per month, and the launch of a new women’s securit

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