In the first policy address of the newly formed Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government delivered in the Kerala Assembly on Friday, Governor P. Sathasivam has said that the new government would create 25 lakh jobs over the coming five years, give a strong push for big ticket infrastructure projects and ensure transparency in the functioning of the government.
The Governor said the government would create 10 lakh jobs in areas such as information technology, biotechnology, tourism, electronics and other emerging areas besides 15 lakh jobs in areas such as agriculture, construction, commerce and small industries. The government would also provide skill training to another 10 lakh youth.
In the area of infrastructure development, the Governor promised steps to complete the Kochi-Mangalore gas pipeline project, speed up land acquisition for road development and double the space available in IT parks. The government would encourage rapid infusion of private investment in the State by building modern road systems, rapid railway lines and vibrant air and seaports and by creating efficient inland navigation and industrial parks.
Coming down heavily on the last United Democratic Front (UDF) for its financial management, the Governor said the annual Plan for the years between 2013 and 2016 had stagnated. “Against the large number of schemes announced in the annual Plan budgets of the three years, actual expenditure has been only 60-70% of the budget approved by the Legislature. This, in particular, has had a negative impact on public investments in Kerala, and has adversely hit poorer sections of the society the most,” he said. He also contended that the restrictions on consumption of liquor imposed by the last government did not produce the 'desired positive impact'.
The Governor announced that the government would make Kerala a ‘hunger-free State’ and introduce gender budgeting during the current financial year and gender auditing as a follow up. The Town and Country Planning Act would be restructured. Primary Health Centres (PHCs) would be re-designated Family Health Centres (FHCs).
A comprehensive e-Health programme would be launched to collect health data of all citizens and create an Electronic Health Record (HER). A White Paper on the status of the environment in Kerala would be published in six months and a conservation strategy devised to protect the Western Ghats. A comprehensive policy for reducing pollution would be prepared on the basis of a study. Mining in the State, especially of black sand, would be brought under the public sector. A database, as envisaged in the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008, will be prepared with the help of satellite imagery and published within one year.
On Mullaperiyar Dam, the Governor said the new government would stick to the resolution passed by the State Assembly and focus on appointment of a multi-disciplinary team consisting of best available experts to assess the safety, strength and durability of the dam structure.
