Kerala Cabinet Clears Five Governance Reforms

The Kerala Cabinet approved five governance reforms on 29 July 2026 to strengthen public administration, improve transparency, and reduce revenue leakages linked to project delays. The reforms include a digital asset platform, a GIS-based project registry, a registry of government institutions, legal review measures, and a process re-engineering programme.

Digital Governance Infrastructure

The Special Asset Management Platform for Administration, Tracking and Harmonisation (SAMPATH) is a centralised digital platform for records of government-owned assets. The platform covers land, buildings, and infrastructure under state ownership. PlanSpace 2.0 is an expanded GIS-enabled project registry for capital projects of government departments. The system records the location, implementing agency, funding, and construction stage of each project.

Institutional Registry and Administrative Review

The reforms include a comprehensive registry of 591 government institutions in Kerala. The plan also covers integration of institutions with similar functions, including bodies that continue to operate after completing their original objectives. The Cabinet also approved a review of outdated, unnecessary, and contradictory laws. The legal review is intended to address implementation difficulties in existing statutes and rules.

Process Re-engineering and Coordination

The process re-engineering programme aims to simplify procedures and modernise Acts and Rules. The programme covers major departments such as Finance, Law, Tax, Revenue, Local Self-Government, and Industries. An Empowered Committee of government secretaries has been approved to prioritise projects and improve inter-departmental coordination. The General Administration Department is leading the reforms as part of a digital administrative infrastructure plan.

Important Facts for Exams

• SAMPATH expands to Special Asset Management Platform for Administration, Tracking and Harmonisation.
• PlanSpace 2.0 uses GIS-based geotagging for capital projects.
• Kerala has 591 government institutions covered under the new registry plan.
• The General Administration Department is the nodal department for the reform package.

The reforms cover asset management, project tracking, institutional mapping, legal review, and administrative simplification. The package also includes an Empowered Committee of government secretaries for project prioritisation.