Comments
The Oommen Chandy-led government, which has completed a year in office, claims that a platform has been set for the State for the next big leap in development.
This will be evidenced in the size of investments being committed here and the number of jobs generated to ensure inclusive development.
MASS CONTACT
The highlight of the first year in power has been the mass contact programmes that the Chief Minister hosted in all districts.
He received 5.45 lakh representations from the massive crowds at these events, of which 2.97 lakh were settled on the spot. A sum of Rs 22.68 crore was sanctioned in all.
Of the 107 specific schemes set apart for completion during the first 100 days in office, 102 translated into action. The scheme for giving away 25 kg of rice at Re 1 per kilo to the below-poverty-line family has been a huge success, which is continuing even now.
Impressive line-up
The State government has acquired the services of the best possible brains for implementing the various programmes.
They include Dr Sam Pitroda, Adviser to Prime Minister; Mr K. M. Chandrasekhar, former Cabinet Secretary; Dr E. Sreedharan of Delhi Metro; and Mr Tarun Das, Secretary, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
The State has managed to get the Planning Commission's nod for an annual Plan of Rs 14,010 crore, which is Rs 2,000 crore more than the previous year's allocation.
Similarly, the Five-Year Plan has witnessed a massive jump to Rs 1.05 lakh crore, compared with Rs 40,422 crore in the previous year. The State government has also brought about a suitable scheme to deal with the vexatious issue of acquisition of land for developmental purposes.
INFRA PROJECTS
The Chief Minister, Cabinet colleagues and officials have held a series of meetings with diplomats and investors ahead of the ‘Emerging Kerala' global investor summit.
The event will take place in Kochi from September 12 to 14. The spokesman also referred to a host of prestigious infrastructure projects which are in various stages of implementation in the State.
A personal rapid transport system or sky car, proposed for Thiruvananthapuram, among others, is one such. Inkel Ltd, a government-promoted body to channelise private investments, is preparing a detailed project report in this connection.
INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR
A detailed project report is now ready with respect to the proposed industrial corridor linking Kochi with Coimbatore.
Investments expected in this project are to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore from the private sector and Rs 15,000 crore from the central government.
Other prestigious projects include the Kochi Metro, monorail for Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, the Rs 1.20-lakh crore country's first bullet train in the state.
vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in
Comments
COMMENT NOW
Comments
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.