Thiruvananthapuram

The first budget of the newly elected UDF government has placed strong emphasis on women's safety and the fight against narcotics, with Chief Minister V D Satheesan unveiling a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening law enforcement, surveillance and rehabilitation mechanisms across the state.

Presenting the revised Budget for 2026-27, Satheesan said the government would adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards crimes against women and children. As part of this effort, more women police officers will be appointed as Station House Officers (SHOs) in police stations throughout Kerala.

The government also announced stricter action against officials accused of suppressing cases involving crimes against women and minors. Measures have additionally been proposed to tackle online harassment and abuse targeting women through social media platforms.

To improve public safety, particularly for women, the government plans to enhance night patrols in major urban centres and introduce a dedicated initiative named ‘Makalkkoppam’, aimed at preventing violence and crimes against women.

The budget also reflected the UDF’s commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking. A sum of Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for Operation Toofan, a Kerala Police-led programme designed to dismantle drug networks, reduce the availability of narcotics and strengthen preventive mechanisms in educational institutions.

Satheesan said anti-drug operations would be expanded through specialised police units, including the Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF), District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) and Special Operations Group (SOG).

The government plans to roll out drug-free campus campaigns, monitor dark web activity linked to narcotics trafficking and conduct financial investigations into drug networks. Awareness programmes will also be organised in collaboration with schools, colleges, local bodies and Parent-Teacher Associations.

The Excise Department has been allocated Rs 23.31 crore to bolster enforcement and awareness efforts. Under the Vimukthi Mission, campaigns will be conducted to educate students, youth and the wider public about the dangers of substance abuse and alcoholism.

Among the key infrastructure measures announced are the establishment of a dedicated Chemical Examination Laboratory and enhanced facilities for the State Narcotic Control Bureau.

To strengthen border and transit surveillance, AI-enabled CCTV systems, along with X-ray and Gamma-ray scanners, will be installed at check posts to detect and prevent drug trafficking. Drug detection kits capable of identifying both conventional narcotics and emerging synthetic substances will be supplied to all Excise offices.

The budget also includes provisions for prison modernisation and inmate welfare. Expansion and construction projects have been prioritised at prisons in locations such as Mannarkkad, Taliparamba and Pathanamthitta to ease overcrowding.

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In addition, the government plans to strengthen emergency response systems by establishing new fire and rescue stations, operationalising additional facilities in Wayanad, and deploying specialised rescue teams along National Highway 66.