Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said that the government will take up a number of programmes, including implementation of the Right to Services Act and e-governance programmes, on a mission mode. Petitioners’ right to be heard will be made mandatory.
Mission 676, indicating the remaining term of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government, does not propose any new project, but intends timely implementation of ongoing programmes.
The Chief Minister told the media here on Thursday that he and the Ministers concerned would jointly oversee nine projects, ‘Navaratna,’ which included Kochi Metro, Smart City, Vizhinjam port, Kannur airport, national water ways, suburban railway, and monorail projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode cities. Development of surface transport, including national highways, and student and entrepreneur start-up programmes would be part of the dream projects.
The Chief Secretary would oversee implementation of the Right to Service Act, e-governance programmes, and clearance of files pending before the government. He would also draw up a new law mandating that government officials should hear the petitioners who approached them. While right to services would be expanded, online services would be increased from 38 to 130 in four months. The number of services available online would go up to 400 by the end of this financial year.
Mr. Chandy said the Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Board would lead projects for online monitoring of Plan implementation, computerisation of preparation of Annual Plan, implementation of Vision 2030 (draft of which had already been published), and formation of consortium of retired experts to aid development of the State.
Besides, the Ministers would be in charge of the implementation of 30 development and welfare missions.
The mission mode projects would include those aimed at housing, drinking water, and electricity for all; promotion of organic farming; environmental protection; skill development; Sabarimala development; capital city development; and various welfare programmes. There will also be efforts to reduce availability of liquor, campaign against consumption of liquor, and limiting of bar licences and outlets.
