Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal announced on Friday that Kerala plans to establish Work Near Home (WNH) facilities in every panchayat. The goal is to provide jobs for 5 lakh people and generate ₹5,000 crore in extra revenue in the State. The first WNH centre will open on January 19 in Kottarakara. It will have 141 professional workspaces in a 9,249.97 square feet area inside the BSNL building. The facility offers high-speed Internet, air-conditioned cabins, meeting rooms, and a cafeteria. It is designed for remote employees, freelancers, start-ups, and students. The project especially supports women professionals who had career breaks due to family duties. "The global job market has undergone a major transformation, with remote and hybrid work models now becoming the global standard," said Minister Balagopal. He added that by linking the Zoho Campus IT park and Work Near Home hubs, Kottarakara aims to provide 5,000 jobs within five years. Ten centres will open in the first phase in places like Kalamassery, Ramanattukara, Taliparamba, and Perinthalmanna. The project is funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board through interest-free loans and operated by the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council as the Special Purpose Vehicle. The plan is to eventually launch centres in every local body to fight brain drain and long commutes while boosting employment locally. "It offers a practical solution to challenges like forced migration, gruelling commutes, and the lack of secure workspaces," said Balagopal. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will officially inaugurate the first Work Near Home centre on January 19. A learning festival with AR/VR, Robotics, and drone zones and expert sessions will run from January 18 to 24. Interested people can register to join these sessions.