Sam Pitroda, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Infrastructure, Information and Innovations, will hold detailed discussions with the Ministers and officials here on May 28 on proposals for the State’s development.
Mr. Pitroda, who had been appointed mentor for Kerala’s development, had proposed ten major projects for Kerala during the discussion he had with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and others three months ago. As promised then, he is returning with detailed proposals for discussions, the Chief Minister told the media here on Wednesday.
The projects would include development of shipping along the coast of Kerala and development of major ports and minor ports, establishment of a knowledge city, strengthening of the vocational educations using information technology and a new health insurance scheme. Besides, Mr. Pitroda has a plan to realise the full potential of Ayurveda for development.
Mr. Chandy said that the solid waste management and acquisition of land for developmental projects were two major problems faced by Kerala. A special meeting of the Cabinet would be held on May 23 solely to discuss the issue of land acquisition and related problems.
The government was observing May 17 as Cleanliness Day. The government was trying to address the problem of waste management through decentralised as well as centralised treatment and separation of degradable and non-degradable waste. Centralised waste management facilities would come up in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode shortly.
He admitted that the government could not keep its word given to the mayor regarding waste management. Consequently, both the government and City Corporation had lost credibility. He hoped that the corporation would be cooperating with the government in finding solutions.
