Electric Vehicle (EV) owners in Keralam are keeping their fingers crossed over how frequent power outages will affect the charging of their vehicles.

While some owners claim it has already begun to take a toll on charging, others feel the impact, if any, is yet to be felt. Still, they remain concerned that the situation could worsen in the coming days if the power situation doesn’t improve.

Harindran N., a resident of Vennala, says frequent power cuts disrupt charging schedules. “On most occasions, the charging process is cut short when a power outage occurs, leaving the vehicle without sufficient charge in the morning. The outages do not follow a schedule, and not knowing the timing is a major concern. We avoid charging during peak hours, but often remain unaware of cuts as we are asleep with the vehicle already plugged in. Once power resumes, the charger has to be manually reconnected, failing which the vehicle is left with low charge in the morning. Knowing the timing of outages in advance would be helpful,” says Dr. Harindran.

Rahul Kumar, an architect from Thiruvananthapuram, echoed the sentiment. “I have not been affected yet as I was travelling during the past two weeks. But once I start using my vehicle, this could become a concern. Whenever there is a disruption, charging is affected, and frequent outages could exacerbate this,” he says.

Back in 2024, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had urged EV owners to avoid evening charging and shift to off-peak hours.

Parvathy Nair, a businesswoman from Thripunithura, says charging in the morning is not feasible for those whose businesses depend on EVs. “We use our vehicle in the morning for deliveries. We never get a break to charge it then, so nighttime is our only option,” she says.

KSEB sources say they have not yet noticed any perceptible change in charging patterns among EV users despite the worsening crisis. “People continue to charge their vehicles at their home when it is convenient for them. There is a lack of awareness among the public. They should actively consider charging in the morning to reduce the load,” says an official.

The proposed project to set up about 200 new charging stations across the State in the next financial year could prove useful to vehicle owners. These stations will have a lower tariff during solar hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), which could help shift the consumer behaviour, the source added.

Risk for battery health

Finny Kurian, a music director from Kaloor, says he charges his vehicle in the morning. “It is only on rare occasions that I have had to charge at night. So these disruptions haven’t affected me,” he says.

He adds that frequent interruptions during charging could harm battery health. Each disruption could result in a cycle being completed, thereby affecting battery life, says Mr. Kurian.

The newly created Department of Senior Citizens’ Welfare, one of the highlights of the first Budget of the UDF government, is in the process of becoming fully operational, with key posts being redeployed and proposals for a range of new welfare initiatives submitted to the government.

The General Administration department has issued orders redeploying posts, including those of Additional Secretary, Under Secretary, Section Officer, Assistants and Computer Assistants, from the General Administration and Personnel and Administrative Reforms departments to the new department.

The government had earmarked ₹10 crore in the State Budget for the functioning of the department and implementation of senior-citizen welfare schemes. Proposals submitted for senior citizens’ welfare include measures aimed at protection, care, healthcare, social security and productive ageing.

The creation of a dedicated department assumes significance against the backdrop of Keralam’s rapidly ageing population and the growing social, economic and healthcare challenges faced by senior citizens.

The government proposes to move beyond welfare assistance to the elderly, to create a comprehensive programme for addressing the needs of the elderly.

Silver economy, which encompasses economic activities based on the needs, purchasing power, skills, employment and entrepreneurial potential of older people, is proposed as an important component of the department’s work.

The new department has been assigned the task of administering laws and rules relating to senior citizens, implementing the State’s senior-citizen policy and centrally sponsored and State welfare schemes, managing the affairs of Kerala State Commission for Senior Citizens and that of elderly care homes.

State-level directorate

Efforts are already under way to establish a State-level directorate for senior citizens’ welfare and district-level offices and a State Governing Council to coordinate all welfare measures for senior citizens.

The government is also planning to launch a comprehensive State-wide survey on senior citizens.

24-hour helpline

The proposed 24-hour helpline for various emergency interventions on behalf of senior citizens will be coordinated at the field-level by a Rapid Response Team which will deliver the services to senior citizens. A Field Response Officer will head the RRT to ensure immediate assistance to the elderly

A State Technical Advisory Committee and Senior Citizen Facilitation Desks in all local self-government institutions have been proposed. Initiatives are also being planned to promote greater interaction and cooperation between senior citizens and those belonging to the younger generations.

A dedicated senior citizen services portal will be set up, which will establish an Elder Vulnerability Register, Kerala Care Workforce Register, Service Connect Directory and Productive Ageing Register.

The establishment of District Senior Citizen Cells in all 14 district collectorates, certification processes for senior citizen-friendly government offices, a Dementia-Friendly Keralam initiative and senior citizen-friendly health protocols and neighbourhood support networks for elderly persons with Kudumbashree support are in the final stages

It is almost a month into the post-trawl ban season, a period usually marked by bustling docks and overflowing catches. But a grim shadow of uncertainty hangs over Keralam’s coastline as empty nets and grounded boats tell a story of quiet desperation. Barren waters, unrelenting weather bans, and tragic accidents have brought the fishing community to its knees while the promise of government relief remains out of reach. Both traditional fishers and boat operators say they are caught in a deep economic crisis, facing prolonged periods of unemployment with little clarity on relief or compensation from the government.

As hostile weather patterns escalate along the coast, fishers point to a growing gap between official assurances and ground realities. Charles George, State president of the Kerala Matsyathozhilali Aikya Vedi, says overall fish production has dropped drastically. “Catches of staple varieties like sardine and mackerel have dwindled to nominal figures, raising fears of a complete collapse in coming days,” he says. He also points out that nearly 30 days of fishing bans have already been enforced over the past two months alone, leaving workers stripped of their basic livelihood. “The government must urgently announce a concrete financial package for fishers. There is currently a complete lack of clarity surrounding government support,” he adds.

In Keralam’s marine fisheries sector, official databases frequently fail to capture the full spectrum of actual sea-going workforce. While registered boat owners and a percent of fishers are documented, a section of seasonal and daily-wage deckhands along with allied workers fall through the administrative cracks. During crisis periods, unlisted workers are entirely excluded from relief payouts, creating widespread resentment and severe economic distress. “The State government should immediately compile an accurate registry of all affected workers and convene a formal meeting to directly address their grievances,” says Mr George.

The operational crisis is equally severe for mechanised sector, which is grappling with unprecedented weather disruptions and sharp drops in high-value catches. Peter Mathias, President of the All Kerala Fishing Boat Operators Association, says a relentless series of weather warnings have brought commercial activity to a standstill. The economic fallout of the shortage is already cascading through marine markets. “Seasonal landings have plummeted to less than a quarter of last year’s yields. Key export-grade species — including squid, cuttlefish, and deep-sea prawns (karikkadi) are in critically short supply. Cuttlefish landings have dropped below 25% of normal seasonal levels, forcing market rates to skyrocket past ₹500 per kg compared to the usual ₹300–400 average. Similarly, extreme scarcity has driven squid prices up to ₹800 per kg,” he says.

Despite assurances made in the State Budget, authorities are yet to establish a concrete relief framework capable of delivering direct financial compensation equivalent to the daily wages lost when boats were forced to stay ashore. “This is an unprecedented trend, and weather forecasts indicate that such disruptions will continue. The government cannot remain a passive bystander while fishers are forced into idleness and starvation. The State must transition from temporary fixes to a structured, guaranteed compensation policy to prevent the coastal economy from collapsing entirely,” adds Mr. Mathias.