Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday directed district Collectors to take action against those demanding remuneration without doing any work.

“The system, known as ‘nokkukooli’, is a hindrance to the development of the State and no union supports it,” he said during a video conferencing with the Collectors. This is the first time that a Chief Minister has issued a whip on the issue.

He said relief to those who have sought help from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund should get it within 100 hours. “The handwritten applications should be digitised to make online facility easier,” he added.