CPI(M) district secretary P. Rajeev, whose term in the Rajya Sabha ended early this month, said he was happy to have worked for enhancing, and humanising, infrastructure in Kerala’s health and education sectors.
Mr. Rajeev, who was given a fond farewell by Rajya Sabha members of different affiliations the other day, said with the support of fellow members, he was able to funnel resources from his local area development fund for the infrastructure expansion and modernisation of the Ernakulam General Hospital.
“Initially, with support from the respective institutions, we set up modern toilets, girl-friendly toilets, sanitary pad vending machines and pad incinerators in schools which has now become a national model. The state-of-the-art dialysis centre in Aluva was another achievement,” he said at a ‘Meet the Press’ programme at the Press Club here on Friday.
Mr. Rajeev said he could work in tandem with others to bring Metro rail to Kochi and provide direction to the project. “It has, however, been marred by absence of coordination on the part of the State government, which remains largely indifferent to the project. There should be time-bound acquisition of land for Kochi Metro using the same yardstick for all land owners.”
He said he was able to pitch for a slew of development initiatives for Kochi – including sanction for a flyover at Edappally, widening of roads like the Thammanam-Pullepady road, pushing the case for a cancer centre and a marine university with varying degrees of success.
In the Parliament, it was at his instance that the Medical Council of India was disbanded after it came under a cloud.
Mr. Rajeev said he would now concentrate on several projects the CPI(M) had been involved in. “Our hands are already full with untiring work in spreading the message of and facilitating organic farming across party affiliations and training trade union workers in saving lives of accident victims,” he said.