New Delhi

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that renaming Kerala to Keralam will manifest the state's heritage with all its authenticity and uphold its pride.

Hailing the decision taken by the Union Cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the home minister congratulated the people of the state through a message posted on X.

"Heartiest congratulations to the people of Keralam. The Union Cabinet's decision under the leadership of Modi Ji to rename Kerala as 'Keralam' is a significant step towards fulfilling the long-standing demand of the people of the state.

"The name 'Keralam' will manifest the state's heritage with all its authenticity and uphold its pride," he said.

The decision, which comes ahead of the assembly elections in the state, was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Modi at its first meeting held at Seva Teerth -- the new PMO complex.

The Kerala assembly elections are due in April this year, with the tenure of the 140-member current assembly ending on May 23.

After the Union Cabinet's approval, the President of India will refer the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the Kerala Assembly for expressing its views under the proviso to Article 3 of the Constitution of India.

On the receipt of the Kerala Assembly's views, the Centre will obtain the recommendation of the President for the introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to alter the name of Kerala to Keralam in Parliament, an official release said.

Shah also lauded the Cabinet's decision to increase the minimum support price of raw jute by two-and-a-half times to Rs 5,925 per quintal. This decision will help increase farmers' income and benefit farming families in West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar associated with the jute industry, he said.

On the decision of the 3.33-km extension of the existing North-South corridor of Gujarat Metro from GIFT City to Shahpur, Shah said it will provide affordable, convenient, and high-speed connectivity to the people of the region and will give new momentum to educational, corporate, and commercial activities.

"Today, Modi Ji has gifted the nation four multi-tracking railway projects worth Rs 9,072 crore. The doubling of the Gondia-Jabalpur rail line and the construction of third and fourth railway lines from Pundrak to Kiul and from Gamharia to Chandil will give new momentum to industrial and tourism activities in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar," he said on 'X'.

The Union home minister also hailed the Cabinet's nod for the new Integrated Terminal Building at Srinagar Airport.

"Developed at a cost of Rs 1,667 crore with a multi-level car parking facility spread over 71,500 square meters and equipped with state-of-the-art security, this terminal will boost employment and trade in Kashmir," he said.

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Shah welcomed the decision to increase the investment limit of Powergrid to Rs 7,500 crore. "It will enhance our investment capability to fulfil people's growth aspirations," he said.