CIC U-turn: BCCI not a public authority under RTI Act The Central Information Commission (CIC) says the cricketing body is not liable to answer queries under transparency law as it isn't public authority under the RTI Act. The CIC, whose 2018 order was appealed, said BCCI is independent. “There exists no control of the government over the functions, finance, administration, management and affairs of BCCI,” it said. While the BCCI does select national teams and organise tournaments, the Commission held that cannot be grounds for giving it public authority character. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM l tuesday l may 19, 2026 l `9.00 l PAGES 16 l late city EDITION CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOgGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI Team Satheesan kicks off on a welfare note CM & 20 cabinet colleagues sworn in; govt delivers on poll promise of free bus ride for women E x p r e s s N e w s Se r v i c e @T’Puram Amid thunderous cheers from a teeming crowd and in the presence of a galaxy of VIPs, V D Satheesan was sworn in as Kerala’s 13th Chief Minister along with 20 cabinet colleagues at a glittering ceremony at Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, on Monday . True to his word, Satheesan wasted no time after assuming office, rolling out two major poll promises: free travel for women on KSRTC buses from June 15 and the launch of India’s first dedicated government department for senior citizens. In a major relief for striking ASHA workers, the government also announced a `3,000 hike in their monthly honorarium. Satheesan, who had sharply criticised the previous LDF government over its “poor handling” of the economy also an, nounced the cabinet’s decision to release a white paper on the state’s financial health. Addressing a packed press conference after his cabinet’s first meeting, a composed Satheesan said he was fully aware of the enormity of the task ahead and made it clear that his administration was determined to break from rigid precedents. While the finer details of the free transit scheme are being worked out, Sathee- 1st cabinet meeting major decisions Free travel for women in KSRTC buses from June 15 Dedicated department for senior citizens; expert study to be initiated soon J3,000 hike in monthly honorarium of ASHA workers; decision on retirement benefits in one month J1,000 hike for anganwadi workers and helpers, noonmeal workers, pre-primary teachers and helpers Special Investigation Team to probe attacks during Nava Kerala Sadas in 2023 White paper to be published on financial status of treasury Decision to reduce fuel price hike burden will be taken after fiscal impact analysis To monitor monsoon preparedeness Assembly Session Special assembly session to held on May 21; MLAs to be sworn-in on the day Chief Minister V D Satheesan and cabinet colleague Ramesh Chennithala greet each other during the swearing-in of the new UDF government, as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi looks on, at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday | Albin Mathew Portfolio row pushes govt into first crisis T’Puram: Hours after assuming office, the V D Satheesan government is facing its first major test as the chief minister and the Congress leadership have failed to arrive at a consensus over allocation of portfolios to certain ministers. P4 san said the new elderly welfare department would, within two months, prepare a comprehensive road map inspired by global models such as Japan’s to ensure senior citizens can live with dignity . The chief minister said the government’s goal was to build a system that would make Kerala proudly stand out as a truly civilised society . Signalling immediate relief for grassroots health and welfare workers, the cabinet approved a first-phase `3,000 hike in the honorarium of ASHA workers, raising their monthly pay from `9,000 to `12,000, with the promise of a second-stage increase later. Satheesan said a final decision on their retirement benefits would be taken within a month. The government also announced a `1,000 salary hike for anganwadi workers, helpers and cooks, as well as pre-primary teachers and nannies. On the fiscal front, Satheesan said the government would publish a white paper, prepared with the support of economic experts, to give people a clear picture of the state’s financial ● More on P5 health.  Senior leader G Sudhakaran to be pro tem speaker Speaker’s election on May 22 Governor’s policy declaration on May 29 First session of 16th Kerala Assembly from May 29 Budget most likely on June 5 New appointments Advocate General: Adv Jaju Babu (Senior High Court lawyer) Director General of Prosecution: Adv T Asaf Ali India will continue to buy Russian oil: Govt R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi amid uncertainty over the status of the US sanctions waiver on Russian crude imports, India on Monday said it will continue to buy Russian oil. “Enough crude has been tied up... waiver or no waiver, it will not affect,” Sujata Sharma, joint secretary in the petroleum ministry, told reporters during a media briefing. The clarification came after the temporary US sanctions waiver expired on May 16. She said India had been sourcing crude from Russia even before the sanctions and would continue to do so depending on commercial viability “These are com. mercial decisions taken by oil marketing companies based on national requirements and economic considerations.” The US first announced the waiver for a month in March and later extended it till May 16 amid concerns over global oil supply disruptions due to the Iran-US/Israel war. India, which imports 88% of its crude oil requirement from over 40 countries, has sharply raised purchases of discounted Russian crude since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine War in February 2022. Despite criticism from the US and Western nations, India has maintained that crude purchases are based on affordability and national energy security needs. Notably, the joint secretary’s comments came on a day when reports said Pakistan has deployed over 8,000 troops, a ​ ull squadron of JFf 17 fighter jets, and an air defence system to Saudi Arabia under a defence pact signed last year, which requires both countries to come to each other’s defence if either country comes under attack. E X P RE S S REA D 2020 Delhi riots: SC NEET case: Coaching criticises its Jan 5 order centre founder arrested New Delhi: Stressing that “bail is the rule and jail is the exception” is not merely an empty statutory slogan, the Supreme Court on Monday questioned its January 5 judgment denying bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the case of larger conspiracy behind the 2020 Delhi riots. P7 Mumbai: The CBI has arrested the founder of a coaching centre based in Maharashtra’s Latur over his alleged involvement in the NEET-UG paper leak, officials said on Monday. He was allegedly an “active member of the organised gang” involved in the leakage and circulation of NEET UG 2026 exam. P8 16 pages, including 4 pages of THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Express