News

1190 people get jobs through Kudumbashree Initiative for Business Solutions (KIBS)

1190 people got jobs in the state through Kudumbashree Initiative for Business Solutions (KIBS). The aim of the project is to ensure sustainable income generation by providing employment to skilled women in government, semi-government, public sector and private institutions in urban areas. Currently, out of the 1,190 people who got jobs, 1,060 are women. This includes 14 transgenders and 116 men.

KIBS is headquartered in Ernakulam under the leadership of the Kudumbashree State Mission. KIBS was formed under the Travancore Cochin Scientific Charitable Society Act. KIBS is a facility management centre that provides employees to institutions operating in various fields. 585 Kudumbashree women working in all 24 stations of the Kochi Rail Metro have also found prestigious jobs through KIBS. Their services are in the categories of housekeeping, ticketing, customer care service, help desk, customer facilitation service, gardening-vegetable garden construction, kitchen, canteen and parking. Transgender people in Kochi Metro have also been able to get jobs through KIBS.

After Kochi Rail Metro, thirty of the people who have been appointed for housekeeping and ticketing jobs in Kochi Water Metro are Kudumbashree women. They also got jobs through KIBS. Those who get jobs in various government, semi-government, public sector institutions and universities through KIBS are assured of government-approved wages and benefits like ESI, Provident Fund, and gratuity.

Content highlight

1190 people get jobs through Kudumbashree Initiative for Business Solutions (KIBS) en

Kudumbashree Awards 2025: State Level Awards Announced

Kudumbashree Awards 2025 -State Level Awards were announced by M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala during the Press Meet held in Thiruvananthapuram on 7 May 2025. The Kudumbashree Award 2025 is constituted as part of intensifying Kudumbashree project activities and honoring excellent and notable achievements. The awards will be distributed on 17 May 2025 in connection with Kudumbashree Day. The award winners will receive a cash award, a certificate and a memento.

Awards are given in a total of 17 categories viz., Best NHG, Best ADS, Best Ooru Samithi, Best Enterprise Group, Best Entrepreneur, Best BUDS Institution, Best Gender Resource Centre, Best Auxiliary Group, Best Auxiliary Enterprise, Best Snehitha Gender Help Desk, District that has carried out the Best Public Relations Activities, Best District Mission, as well as Best CDS (Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration-Microfinance Activities), Best CDS (Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Social Development, Gender), Best CDS (Tribal Activities), Best CDS (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC). Although awards have been given to outstanding CDSs before, this is the first time that Kudumbashree is recognizing excellence in such categories.

The details of State Level Award Winners are as follows:

1. Best NHG

First Place: Pournami NHG, Sulthan Bathery CDS, Wayanad

Second Place: Bhagyashree NHG, Sreekrishnapuram CDS, Palakkad

Third Place: Aswathy NHG, Thiruvaniyoor CDS, Ernakulam

2. Best ADS

First Place: Thichur ADS, Varavoor CDS, Thrissur

Second Place: Punnamparambu ADS, Sreekrishnapuram CDS, Palakkad

Third Place: Mattara ADS, Ulikkal CDS, Kannur

3. Best Auxiliary Group

First Place: Dhwani Auxiliary Group, Sulthan Bathery CDS, Wayanad

Second Place: Punarjani Auxiliary Group, Porkulam CDS, Thrissur

Third Place: Wings of Fire Auxiliary Group, Tiruvallur CDS, Kozhikode

Vaibhavam Auxiliary Group, Haripad CDS, Alappuzha

4. Best Ooru Samithi

First Place: Daivagund/Jellippara Oorusamithi, Agali Panchayath Samithi, Palakkad

Second Place: Sthreesakthi Oorusamithi, Thirunelly CDS, Wayanad

5. Best Enterprise Group

First Place: Sanjeevani Nutrimix, Thazhekad CDS, Malappuram

Second Place: Aishwarya Sree Amrutham Foods, Thirumittakode CDS, Palakkad

Third Place: Nanma Food Processing Unit, Pozhuthana CDS, Wayanad

6. Best Entrepreneur

First Place: Ms. Shareefa, Malappuram Municipality CDS 2, Malappuram

Second Place: Ms. Eliyamma Philip. Panathady CDS, Kasaragod

Third Place: Ms. Sandhya J, Pulimath CDS, Thiruvananthapuram

7.Best Auxiliary Group Enterprise

First Place: Team Gramam, Poothadi CDS, Wayanad

Second Place: One 18, Varavoor CDS, Thrissur

Third Place: AG's Aranyakam Home Stay & Cafe, Amarambalam CDS, Malappuram

8. Best CDS-Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration-Microfinance Activities

First Place: Cheruvathoor CDS, Kasaragod

Second Place: Aryanad CDS, Thiruvananthapuram

Third Place: Varavoor CDS, Thrissur

9. Best CDS-Social Development, Gender

First Place: Varavoor CDS, Thrissur

Second Place: Kinanoor Karinthalam CDS, Kasaragod

Third Place: Kavilumpara CDS, Kozhikode

10. Best CDS-Tribal Activities

First Place: Marayoor CDS, Idukki

Second Place: Thirunelly CDS, Wayanad

11. Best CDS- Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry

First Place: Varavoor CDS, Thrissur

Second Place: Bedadukka CDS, Kasaragod

Third Place: Valakom CDS, Ernakulam

12. Best CDS- Non Farm Livelihood (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC)

First Place: Mariyapuram CDS, Idukki

Second Place: Muttil CDS, Wayanad

Third Place: Sasthamcotta CDS, Kollam

13. Best BUDS Institution

First Place: Pazhassi Raja BUDS School, Mattannur CDS, Kannur

Second Place: BUDS Paradise Special School, Thirunelly Wayanad

Third Place: Spectrum Special School, Marancherry CDS, Malappuram

14. Best Gender Resource Centre

First Place: Vazhayoor GRC, Vazhayoor CDS, Malappuram

Second Place: Nanniyode GRC, Nanniyode CDS, Thiruvananthapuram

Third Place: Pallippuram GRC, Pallippuram CDS, Ernakulam

15. Best Snehitha

First Place: Malappuram

Second Place: Thrissur

Third Place: Thiruvananthapuram

16. Best District Mission

First Place: Kollam

Second Place: Thrissur

Third Place: Ernakulam & Wayanad

17. District that carried out Best Public Relation Activities

First Place: Kollam

Second Place: Thrissur

Third Place: Ernakulam

The State Level Award Selection Committee, chaired by the Special Secretary of the Local Self Government Department and convened by the Executive Director of Kudumbashree, selected the state level winners in various categories. The District Level Award Selection Committee, chaired by a member of the Kudumbashree Governing Body and the respective District Mission Coordinators as the Working Chairmen had selected the winners in the district level.

The awards for Best CDS (5 categories), Best BUDS Institution, Best Snehitha, Best GRC, Best District Mission, and the District that carried out Best Public Relations Activities have been decided based on the activities of the financial year 2023-24. The Awards for Best Neighborhood Group, Best Auxiliary Group, Best ADS, Best Ooru Samithi, Best Enterprise, Best Auxiliary Group Enterprise, and Best Entrepreneur have considered the activities of the financial years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.

The award selection process has been completed at three levels: block, district and state level. The award nominations from CDSs have been examined by the primary screening committee based on the criteria and nominations that have scored more than 50% marks have been considered at the block level.

The State-Level Award selection was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the sub-committees comprising the State Mission Programme Officer/State Programme Manager and the Chairman, along with subject matter experts, scrutinized the documents based on the application criteria, analyzed the presentations on the activities, recorded the marks and submitted them to the State-Level Award Selection Committee.

In the second phase, the State-Level Award Selection Committee comprising the Local Self-Government Department Special Secretary Chairman, Kudumbashree Executive Director, Kudumbashree Executive Committee Member, and State Mission Program Officer analyzed the marks prepared and submitted by the sub-committees and determined the final winners.

H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Geetha Nazeer, Member, Kudumbashree Governing Body, Shyam Kumar K.U, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree also took part in the Press Meet.

Content highlight

Kudumbashree Awards 2025: State Level Awards Announced

Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant opened in Kollam

Kollam district also become part of Kudumbashree's premium restaurant chain, which provides all kinds of modern facilities to the public. The official inauguration of Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant was performed by K.N. Balagopal, Minister of Finance, Government of Kerala at Vetamukku Junction in Panmana Grama Panchayat, Kollam on 6 May 2025. This is the eleventh premium restaurant launched by Kudumbashree. Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant is currently operating in Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts.

The specialty of the Premium Restaurant opened in Kollam is the dishes that emphasize the local flavor of Kollam. Ashtamudi Prachi Curry, Kanambu Mappas, Kallummakaya Mappas, Ashtamudi Karimeen Pollichathu, Chippi Roast, Kanava 23, Shrimp Malhar, and Special Desinganadu Fish Sadya including four types of fish, prawns, and crab are available here. There are also vegetarian meals, fish curry meals, sadya, biryani, Arabian, and Chinese dishes. It has a capacity for 82 people to eat at a time. It also has a feeding room, good washrooms, and parking.

The cafe is operated by the Insight Activity Group of Panmana Panchayat. 38 people from NHG families in Chavara, Thevalakkara and Panmana grama panchayats are getting a livelihood opportunity through the restaurant.

Sujith Vijayan Pillai, MLA, Chavara constituency presided over the inaugural ceremony. Dr. P.K. Gopan, President, District Panchayat and T. Manoharan, Chairman, Matsyafed were the Chief Guests of the function. Santosh Thuppassery, President, Chavara Block Panchayat, Sreekala. P, President, Panmana Grama Panchayat, Adv. C.P. Sudheesh Kumar, S. Soman, Members, Kollam District Panchayat, Seenath, Chavara Block Panchayat Member and Rajeev Kunjumani, Member, Panmana Grama Panchayat spoke at the function. Dr. Anchal Krishnakumar, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree, Ramya Sunith, Chairperson, Panmana CDS, Aneesa. A, Ratheesh. R, Assistant District Mission Coordinators, Kudumbashree Kollam District Mission, Vishnu Prasad, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Kollam District Mission were also present at the function. Vimal Chandran. R, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kollam District Mission welcomed the gathering and Unmesh. B, Assistant District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kollam District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

Content highlight

Cafe Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant opened in Kollam

Trainees of Veloor BRC enjoys Thrissur Pooram with the District Collector

None of the trainees at the Kudumbashree Thalir BUDS Rehabilitation Centre under the Veloor Grama Panchayat in Thrissur have slept the night before Thrissur Pooram Day. It was the day when all of them fulfilled their dream of being a part of the world-famous Thrissur Pooram, where thousands flock to their hometowns, at least once.

A 40-member group consisting of BRC trainees, parents and members of the Veloor Grama Panchayat Administrative Committee came to Thrissur to participate in the Pooram. Earlier, in a meeting with Arjun Pandian IAS, District Collector, the BRC trainees were given the opportunity to enjoy the Pooram smoothly as requested by the trainees.

From the time the trainees arrived in Pooram Nagari till their return, the Collector and his team were with the trainees and provided them with all the facilities they needed. V.S. Prince, President, District Panchayat also met the trainees. The trainees of BRC did not forget to thank the Collector for taking the initiative and joining them in making their dream come true despite the busy schedule.

Content highlight

Trainees of Veloor BRC enjoys Thrissur Pooram with the District Collectoren

90,237 houses completed in the state through Kudumbashree

As part of the PMAY (U) LIFE scheme being implemented in the state through Kudumbashree, the construction of 90,237 houses has been completed.

The central government has approved the construction of 1,27,048 houses across the state. For this, Rs. 2124.68 crores have been sanctioned till date, including central and state share. Out of the approved houses, the construction of 90,237 houses have been completed so far.

The construction of the remaining 36,811 houses will also be completed soon. With this, the dream of owning a house for 1,27,048 homeless beneficiaries will become a reality.

The project also paves the way for many homeless families to live with dignity in the society by providing them with secure and habitable houses.

This achievement is due to Kudumbashree working as the nodal agency under the joint auspices of the central and state governments and municipalities.

With the aim of 'Housing for All', the project is being implemented in all 93 urban local bodies in the state in collaboration with LIFE Mission. The projects have been approved by including them in the Beneficiary Led Construction Component.

Under the PMAY (Urban) LIFE scheme, homeless families with an annual income of less than Rs three lakhs will get Rs four lakh for the construction of houses through the project. Out of this, Rs 2 lakhs is provided by the municipality and Rs 50,000 is provided by the state government. Therefore, a total of Rs 2,50,000 is provided by the state government. Rs 1.5 lakhs is the central share.

The Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme, a sub-component of the PMAY (Urban) LIFE Scheme, has also helped the beneficiaries to acquire their own homes. Under this, the beneficiaries will be provided with loans from the bank to construct or purchase their own houses. Till date, 32,651 families have been provided with such loans.

Kudumbashree had also obtained permission to construct 11 housing complexes comprising 970 units for the landless and homeless in collaboration with LIFE Mission. Out of these, the construction of 530 units has been completed. The construction of the remaining units is progressing rapidly.

Content highlight

90,237 houses completed in the state through Kudumbashreeen

Kudumbashree has become the backbone of local entrepreneurial development and economy: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala said that Kudumbashree has become the backbone of local entrepreneurial development and economy. The Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of the National Saras Mela organized by Kudumbashree at Kozhikode Beach and the 'Ente Keralam' Exhibition Mela, which is part of the fourth anniversary celebrations of the State Government, at Kozhikode Beach on 3 May 2025.

He pointed out that Kudumbashree is a popular movement with about half a crore women as members and that Rs. 270 crores has been allocated for Kudumbashree in this year's budget. P.A. Muhammed Riyas, Minister for Public Works and Tourism, Government of Kerala presided over the function. A.K. Saseendran, Minister for Forest and Wildlife Conservation, Government of Kerala was the Chief Guest of the function. He said that the Saras Mela is a glimpse of the achievements of the state achieved through Kudumbashree.

The Saras Mela, which is set up on 64,000 square feet on the Kozhikode beach, was packed with people at the product marketing stalls and food court. The fully air conditioned pavilion has about 250 marketing stalls selling various products from rural entrepreneurs in India and the food court has about 50 stalls selling unique food items from 17 states. Entry to the fair, which will last till 13 May 2025, is completely free.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Beena Philip, Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation, Thottathil Raveendran, MLA, Ahmed Devarkovil, MLA, E.K. Vijayan, MLA, P.T.A Rahim, MLA, Kunjahammad Kutty Master, MLA, K.M. Sachindev, MLA, Linto Joseph, MLA, Sheeja Sasi, President, District Panchayat, Kozhikode, Adv. P. Gavas, Vice President, District Panchayath, Kozhikode, C.P. Muzaffar Ahmed, Deputy Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation,

H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Harshil R. Meena IAS, Sub Collector, T. Narayanan, District Police Commissioner, K.T. Shekhar, Deputy Director, I&PRD, K.K. Lathika, P.K. Zainaba, Executive Members, Kudumbashree Governing Body, C.P. Abdul Karim, District Information Officer, Public Representatives, Political Party Representatives and others participated. Snehil Kumar Singh IAS, District Collector, Kozhikode welcomed the gathering and P.C. Kavitha, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission proposed the vote of thanks.

Thousands of people participated in the proclamation procession that started from Mananchira ahead of the inauguration ceremony. The procession was led by Kudumbashree members.

Content highlight

Kudumbashree has become the backbone of local entrepreneurial development and economy: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan

State-Level inauguration of the Communicore Project

M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs performed the State Level Inauguration of the 'Communicore' English Language Training Project organized by Kudumbashree to improve the English language skills of children in the local area online. The minister said that this training project will be helpful in developing the indigenous population and ensuring opportunities for them.

Even though Kerala has made great progress in the field of education, one of the remaining challenges is the linguistic problem of indigenous students. The medium of instruction is Malayalam and English, and English learning and communication are causing them a lot of difficulties. This is what the Communicore project addresses.

The Communicore Project is being implemented in the first phase in areas where the Scheduled Tribes Project and the Scheduled Tribes Sustainable Development Project are being implemented in the state under the leadership of Kudumbashree. The activities are planned in such a way that each child participating in the training will be able to maximize their language skills.

Children between the ages of 12 and 18 selected from the Scheduled Tribe Special Schemes currently being implemented in Attappady, Parambikulam (Palakkad), Thirunelli, Noolpuzha (Wayanad), Aralam Farm (Kannur), Nilambur (Malappuram), Kodanchery (Kozhikode), Kuttampuzha (Ernakulam), Marayoor, Kanthalloor, Vattavada (Idukki), Koraga Special Scheme (Kasaragod), Kadar Special Scheme (Thrissur), and Malaipandaram Special Scheme (Pathanamthitta) are participating in the training programme.

The training is provided for a period of one year, including residential training during the vacations. The training will be held in various batches consisting of 30 to 50 children.

Content highlight

State-Level inauguration of the Communicore Project

PSC Competitive Exam Training for Scheduled Tribe Youth under the leadership of Kudumbashree: 113 people get Government Jobs & 364 people in various rank lists

113 youth from the Scheduled Tribe region got jobs in the government and semi-government sectors with the support of Kudumbashree. These people got jobs as part of the competitive exam training organized with the aim of economic and social empowerment of the youth in this region.

Most of the appointments were made to the posts of LD Clerk, Police, Forest Beat Officer etc. All of them have joined the job. In addition, 364 people have been included in various rank lists. This achievement is from 2,893 people who received expert training through Kudumbashree. They have increased their financial stability and confidence to interact with everyone in the society by getting government jobs.

As part of bringing the youth of this region into the mainstream society, intensive PSC competitive exam training was provided under the leadership of Kudumbashree. For this, PSC had organized a one-time registration camp in the districts where they reside. In the first phase, those with degree and plus two qualifications were included. Later, necessary training was also provided for posts such as Beat Forest Officer. For this, expert faculties in various fields are identified and training is provided through them.

Special centres are also functioning under the leadership of the District Mission for training. In addition, training is provided in collaboration with other training centres. The activities are carried out with the support of the respective Kudumbashree CDS.

Content highlight

PSC Competitive Exam Training for Scheduled Tribe Youth under the leadership of Kudumbashree: 113 people get Government Jobs & 364 people in various rank lists

Kudumbashree National Urban Livelihood Mission: Rs 53.13 crores as Revolving Fund for NHGs & ADSs in urban areas

Kudumbashree has distributed Rs 53.13 crores as Revolving Fund to Kudumbashree NHGs and ADSs in urban areas. This achievement is through the National Urban Livelihood Mission project, which is jointly implemented by Kudumbashree and the Municipalities in the urban areas of the state. Rs. 36.35 crores were given to NHGs and Rs. 16.78 crores were given to ADSs under this scheme.

Each NHG will be provided with a Revolving Fund of Rs. 10,000. The 36,349 NHGs in the urban area have benefited from this. The amount will be used to improve NHG activities and revive inactive ones. 3,356 Kudumbashree ADSs have also received Revolving Funds. Rs. 16.78 crores has been distributed to ADSs. This is the amount distributed in both categories in the last nine years.

The project will provide support, including job skills development training, to bring the unorganized urban poor under the umbrella of Kudumbashree and enable them to achieve progress in their lives. Families with an annual income of Rs. 1 lakh or less in urban areas are selected as beneficiaries.

Content highlight

Kudumbashree National Urban Livelihood Mission: Rs 53.13 crores as Revolving Fund for NHGs & ADSs in urban areas

Good Governance, Financial Sustainability& Self-Sufficiency: 319 Model CDSs in the state under Kudumbashree

319 Kudumbashree CDSs in the state have been given Model CDS status. The Model CDSs were identified on the basis of various criteria such as good governance, financial sustainability, excellence in Kudumbashree project implementation, and activities in the livelihood sector. Currently, there are 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree. The aim is to elevate all CDSs to Model CDS status in the upcoming years.

There are Area Development Societies or ADSs at the ward level of local bodies in Kerala, by including NHGs. Community Development Societies or CDSs are a system formed by including ADSs in each panchayat and municipality. At present, their activities are carried out using government funds. The aim of forming model CDSs is to enable CDSs to achieve self-sufficiency, sustainability and development without the financial support of the central and state governments. For this, the amount received as interest from various loan schemes provided to NHGs through CDSs will be found as the capital required for their own development activities.

The general administration of the CDS and the efficiency in effectively delivering the things implemented through Kudumbashree to the grassroots are also important. Social inclusion is also of utmost importance. People from all sections should be brought under the Kudumbashree system. Activities to ensure social security by bringing people from special categories such as the destitute, the homeless, the marginalized and others under the umbrella of Kudumbashree should also be carried out through the CDS. Ensuring better livelihood and income generation for the members of the NHG is also of great importance. For this, various jobs that can be done according to local possibilities and through various income-generating projects implemented through Kudumbashree should be utilized for the women of the NHG.

As part of upgrading the existing CDSs to Model CDSs, training was provided to the members of the CDS Governing Body in three phases. The training was given to identify the areas that need development in their panchayat, determine their priorities and prepare a special document called a 'Vision Document'. Based on this, each CDS has prepared its Annual Action Plan and submitted it to the respective local bodies. A Separate Business Plan has also been prepared under the leadership of each CDS to understand the funds required and integration possibilities to achieve the development goals.

Content highlight

Good Governance, Financial Sustainability& Self-Sufficiency: 319 Model CDSs in the state under Kudumbashree