Wed Oct 15 12:47:59 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite of the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Kerala Labour Department is launching a family budget survey in 2025-26 to accurately assess the cost of living for agricultural and industrial workers. This survey aims to provide a reliable database for revising the state’s consumer price index and adjusting worker’s basic pay in line with inflation. A 21-member committee has been formed to oversee the survey, which will sample nearly 8,000 working-class families. The Labour Minister, V. Sivankutty, will inaugurate the program on October 16th.

**News Article:**

**Kerala to Conduct Family Budget Survey to Adjust Worker Wages**

**Thiruvananthapuram, October 15, 2025** – The Kerala Labour Department announced today the launch of a comprehensive family budget survey for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The initiative aims to accurately determine the cost of living for households of agricultural and industrial workers in the state.

Labour Minister V. Sivankutty stated that the survey will provide critical data for revising the state’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) based on annual inflation rates. This revision will enable the government to make timely adjustments to the basic pay of industrial and agricultural workers, ensuring that wages keep pace with the rising cost of living.

“This survey will give us a robust and accurate database to ensure that the wages of our working-class population are adjusted fairly in line with inflation, protecting them from financial hardship,” said Minister Sivankutty.

To oversee the project, a 21-member Consumer Price Index Revision Committee has been formed, comprising representatives from workers’ unions, employers, government officials, and financial experts. The survey will sample 7,920 working-class families across the state. Twenty-one enumerators have been recruited through the Employment Exchange and trained to conduct market surveys, including gathering current price data on essential goods and services.

Minister Sivankutty is scheduled to inaugurate the program on October 16th at the Thycaud PWD Rest House. Antony Raju, MLA, will preside over the inauguration ceremony. The survey results are expected to significantly impact wage negotiations and government policies aimed at supporting the economic well-being of Kerala’s workforce.

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