THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cabinet on Wednesday decided to recommend to the governor to convene the 16th session of the fifteenth legislative assembly from January 20. As per the plan, the state budget will be presented on January 29. Finance Minister K N Balagopal will be presenting a full budget this time.

In an important move, the cabinet decided to regularise librarians, nursery teachers, and ayahs in panchayats/municipal institutions as part-time contingent staff.

The cabinet decided to create 159 posts at Kochi Cancer Research Centre, including 91 permanent and 68 contractual positions. In the Forensic Science Laboratory, 12 scientific officer posts will be sanctioned - three in biology, four in chemistry, and five in documents.

Kochi Cancer Research Centre: 159 posts to be created, 91 permanent and 68 contractual.

Forensic Science Laboratory: 12 scientific officer posts sanctioned, 3 in biology, 4 in chemistry, 5 in documents.

Additional bench sanctioned at Thalassery with 22 posts (16 new, 6 redeployed) and funds for building/office works.

Retirement age unified or raised at 60 years for KAMCO employees and Kerala Livestock Development Board staff.