Thiruvananthapuram, May 25: Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today said that the four years of the present LDF government has seen several achievements in the State. During this period, the State has also got numerous compliments on several fronts while going through consecutive natural calamities and medical challenges. The Chief Minister was addressing the media on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the LDF Government. The celebrations though have been cancelled due to the Covid pandemic.
“Kerala’s progress in many fields has been its strength for Covid mitigation measures. Many projects which were planned for the five years could be completed in four years itself but the State faced a lot of hurdles. Despite consecutive natural calamities, development work was not paralysed. We could outlive the first two disasters, starting with the Ockhi cyclone in November 2017 followed by Nipah Virus in May 2018. The biggest flood of the century in August 2018 derailed all our calculations but Keralites across the world came together and helped us. Then floods came again in 2019 and the Covid pandemic this year. It was difficult to overcome these challenges but our resilience is today seen as a model for the country and the world”, said the Chief Minister.
The CM informed that the LDF government could keep its commitments as announced in its election manifesto. A detailed progress report will be published in the next few days highlighting the achievements of the government in the last four years. Some of the achievements of the government are listed briefly:
· 2,19,154 houses built through Life Mission. The work on the permanent housing complexes will be completed this year.
· R.2,450 crores housing projects for the fishing community
· The government has a target of distributing 2 lakh title deeds (Pattayam) in five years. So far 1,43,000 title deeds have been distributed. Despite the hurdles due to Covid, another 35,000 will be given this year.
· 390 kms of streams rejuvenated under Haritha Kerala Mission. Cleaning of wells, ponds, and water bodies have been taken up. 546 new green projects could be launched
· With green protocol being implemented by Haritha Kerala Mission, environment protection is now part of daily life.
· Under Aardram Mission, Primary Health Centres to Medical Colleges have been made centres of excellence. Lab, Pharmacy, OP and speciality treatment has been upgraded to world standards.
· Set up the Advanced Virology Institute after the Nipah virus infection outbreak.
· KIIFB to improve infrastructure facilities – projects worth Rs.54,391 have been granted approval. Five times the normal development achieved.
· In an effort to ensure that no one goes hungry due to the Covid pandemic outbreak, community kitchens were started all across the State.
· All welfare pensions have been brought under one roof. As against Rs.9,270 crores distributed during 2011-16, welfare pension of Rs.23,409 was distributed during the last four years. This includes Rs.1,000 for those having no other pension.
· All ration cardholders have been given free rice and provision kit during this Covid season.
· Set up new Department of Women & Child Development. Started 24 hours Vanitha helpline, She lodge chain, Pink Patrol etc.
· Representation of women in Police to be increased to 25%. Women police battalion, commando platoon started.
· 100 Fire women appointed in Kerala Fire & Rescue service for the first time
· Good improvement in Government schools, more than five lakh new students. Basic infrastructure at 4,752 schools improved, 14,000 given broadband connection and 45,000 classrooms made Hitech.
· 141 schools given Rs.5 crore aid, 395 schools Rs. 3 crore and 444 schools Rs.1 crore
· Wages and incentives of Asha workers, Anganwadi teachers and crèche workers increased
· Kudumbashree achieves record growth
· Mobile ration shops in Adivasi settlement areas
The Chief Minister also listed out the numerous achievements in dealing with the migrant labourers from other states in Kerala. “We got appreciation for how we took care of the guest workers by giving them food, shelter and medical care during the covid time. The Apna Ghar residential project and insurance for guest workers shows that we are one step ahead in caring for them. More than 4.16 lakh guest workers are still staying in over 21,000 camps. Only 55,717 of them have gone back to their native states”, he added.
Formation of Kerala Bank and revival of PSUs among LDF Government achievements
Thiruvananthapuram, May 25: As the LDF Government in Kerala celebrates its fourth anniversary of coming to power, Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan listed out the formation of the Kerala Bank and the revival of Public Sector Undertakings in the State as major achievements of the government.
Briefing the media, the Chief Minister said, “The formation of the Kerala Bank is a milestone in the history of the State and will become a path of our survival. There were many who said this bank will never take off but today, Kerala Bank is set to be the second-largest bank in Kerala. The bank can support the pravasies and others during this pandemic season. New and higher loans can be given for supporting the agriculture sector.”
Kerala is becoming a preferred investment destination and more PSUs are becoming profitable. The Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the Department of Industries and Commerce had a loss of Rs.131 crores when this government came into power. In the first year, the losses were brought down to Rs.71 crores. These PSUs have started reporting a profit in the last three years, Rs.5 crores in 2017-18 and Rs.8 crores in 2018-19. During the last fiscal, the PSUs have reported a working profit of Rs.56 crores. “The State Government will take over the several Central PSUs in the State earmarked for sale by the Central Government. Several new projects have been announced to attract investments to the State. Kerala will see a new investment culture”, he added.
The CM also informed that Kerala has been ranked a top performer in the 2019 State startup ranking by the Central Government. There are 2,200 startups in the State including 1,600 IT-related start-ups as against 300 in 2016. The incubation space has grown to 2 lakh sq.ft. As against the Rs.2.2 crore investments earlier, Rs.275 crores have been invested during this period. The startup ecosystem is one of the best in the country.
Kerala became the first state in the country to declare the Internet as a basic right. Free Wi-Fi will be provided at all public places and libraries. The Rs.1,548 crore K-Fone project to provide high-speed internet to poor people will be rolled out in December.
The much delayed GAIL pipeline project is nearing completion now. The 444 km Kochi-Mangalore line is almost complete and is expected to be commissioned in mid-June. The 95 km Kuttanad-Walayar line is expected to be commissioned by August 15.
226 kms of road works have been completed under KSTP. Work on ten roads is progressing. 98% of the work on the Alappuzha bypass is complete and once the approval from Railways is received, the pending work will also be finished.