Kerala High Court Scraps Nava Keralam Programme

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court has cancelled the ‘Nava Keralam – Citizens Response Programme’, calling it illegal. The court said the programme did not have proper budget approval or financial sanction.

In its order on Tuesday, February 17, the court said the survey could not be carried out as an administrative activity if it was actually being used as a political campaign. The judges pointed out that the programme did not follow proper financial rules and procedures.

This decision is seen as a major setback for the state government. The court observed that the allocation of funds and the way the scheme was implemented violated the Rules of Business and basic financial discipline.

The High Court made it clear that any government programme must have proper approval, clear budget allocation, and must strictly follow financial norms. Without these, such schemes cannot be allowed to continue.