Leading the way | Kerala creates first dedicated Artificial Intelligence portfolio, P K Kunhalikutty gets charge; here's what it includes

Signifying major change in the state's governing structure, the Kerala cabinet is all set to welcome an Artificial Intelligence (AI) portfolio under the Industries and Commerce department.

As the Congress-led UDF's V D Satheesan took oath as Chief Minister on Monday, Indian Union Muslim League's (IUML) P K Kunhalikutty has been entrusted with the departments of Information Technology, Industries and Commerce, and Artificial Intelligence.

The department for AI is the first of its kind in an Indian state's governance. Under the portfolio, the sectors include start-ups, mining and geology, handlooms and textiles among others.

CM V D Satheesan will continue to supervise key departments, including Finance, Kerala Financial Corporation, Law, Pollution Control, Metro Rail, and Railways.

Various other veteran leaders have been retained to form significant administrator of other departments.

Ramesh Chennithala has been assigned as the head of the Home department along with Vigilance, Fire and Rescue Services, Prisons, and Coir.

K Muraleedharan has been given charge of the Health and Medical Education department, which includes Ayush, Drugs Control, and Devaswoms.

Fisheries and Harbour Engineering have been allocated to V E Abdul Gafoor, while Labour, Animal Husbandry, Milk Co-operatives and Women & Child Development will be managed by Bindhu Krishna.

General Education, Wakf, Haj Pilgrimage and Minority Welfare have been assigned to N Samsudheen, and the higher education portfolio was given to Congress's Roji M John.

The cabinet decided to launch a 100 day action plan from June 1 to initiate procedures to implement all guarantees given by the UDF during elections.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) officially assumed power in Kerala, ending the decadal rule of Communist Party of India-led (Marxist) Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the state.

(with inputs from agencies)