Amit Shah to Table Bills for Kerala Name Change, Expanded NCDC Financing Powers

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to introduce two significant bills in the Lok Sabha on Monday: one proposing to rename the state of Kerala as Keralam, and another aimed at expanding the financing powers of the National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC). The introduction of these bills comes amidst a logjam in parliamentary proceedings, with only four days remaining in the current monsoon session.

The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the First Schedule of the Constitution to officially change the state's name to "Keralam." This proposal aligns with a resolution previously passed by the Kerala assembly, and the Union Cabinet has already given its approval. The move is anticipated to be a key agenda item as the session nears its conclusion.

Alongside the name change bill, the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposes to widen the NCDC's mandate. Currently, the corporation primarily finances programs through cooperative societies. However, the draft bill suggests that the NCDC will be empowered to fund a broader range of organizations engaged in "cooperative development." This expansion is intended to streamline processes, as many entities providing essential services like infrastructure, technology, and marketing to cooperatives are not registered as cooperative societies themselves.

Under the existing law, such organizations often face procedural delays and limited uptake because proposals must be routed through state governments or cooperative societies. The proposed amendment seeks to allow the NCDC to extend loans and grants directly to these entities, and with central government approval, invest in their share capital. L Viswanathan, a senior partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, noted that the eligibility of these organizations would be determined by the NCDC board based on their purpose and mandate, emphasizing that the provision is not intended to be a blanket opening to all entities but specifically those engaged in cooperative development.

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Entities must be engaged in co-operative development