Kerala government plans to construct one lakh houses for the shelterless during the current financial year and create a Kerala Sustainable Development Council, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Friday.
Delivering his Independence Day address after inspecting the parade at the Central Stadium here this morning, the Chief Minister said each of the houses proposed to be constructed under the new scheme would cost Rs. 2.5 lakh, taking the total project cost to Rs. 2,500 crore. Loans would be available for the purpose. Central government subsidy under the ‘houses for all’ scheme was also expected. The government would be able to repay the loans in 20 years using 50 per cent of the additional sales tax recently levied on petrol and diesel, Mr. Chandy said.
The Chief Minister said the Sustainable Development Council was intended to institutionalise conservation of natural resources even as the State strived for greater development. The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) would launch a programme called A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Youth Challenge to translate ideas of youth into viable industrial projects. Youngsters studying in any university in Kerala can individually or collectively participate in the challenge. Ten groups that present the best industrial idea would get Rs. 5 lakh each as cash prize. After one year, the group with the best idea would be given Rs. 50 lakh to take their idea to the implementation stage.
The Public Works Department would launch 21 mega roads and bridges projects costing Rs. 3,771 crore across the 14 districts of the State. Detailed project reports for 14 of these works would be ready next month. No toll would be levied on the roads and bridges to be constructed under the new initiative as they would be implemented using the remaining 50 per cent of the revenue additional sales tax on petrol and diesel. Kerala has already attained the status of a fully digital State. Wi Fi hotspots, total mobile governance and second stage digital literacy programmes would be implemented as part of the initiative. The government has already disbursed Rs. 12,350 crore under various welfare schemes and is in the process of implementing massive infrastructure projects including the Kochi Metro, Kannur airport, Vizhinjam port and various waterway and highway projects at an estimated outlay of Rs. 16,000 crore, Mr. Chandy said.
Mr. Chandy unfurled the national flag and presented the Chief Minister’s medals for meritorious services and adventurous life saving efforts by civilians after hoisting the national flag at the Central stadium here.
