As the representative of the Perumbavoor Assembly seat for three times consecutively, Saju Paul has a development agenda in continuity. In fact, his victory is a reflection of the trust that people have reposed in him even when the political equations and governance changed in the State.
With his mass support and simple style of functioning, the CPI(M) MLA aims to take up more challenging roles for the progress of the constituency. The foremost among the list of programmes is undoubtedly the revival of Travancore Rayons Limited, the industrial unit which was the pride of Perumbavoor in the past.
Mr. Paul was involved directly in the series of measures initiated to bring the unit back to life. Steering the destiny of the industrial unit, which has over 30 per cent government stake, was never an easy task. Several proposals had come up in recent years and the viability had to be studied. Workers' interest needed to be given due importance in the deals. As the local MLA, Mr. Paul had to play a key role in analysing the projects in a bid to arrive at the right path. The current initiative is aimed at framing a Bill to facilitate the takeover of the unit by the government.
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The efforts will continue, Mr. Paul says. With the earlier proposals from private groups having come to naught, the present course of action is aimed at facilitating a takeover by the government. Regional as well as State-level meetings and coordination efforts will continue until an effective solution is found. At a time when there is land scarcity, the availability of land at the closed unit opens a new vista for the future projects to be taken up there.
The mini civil station, set to be functional by July end, is one of the prestigious projects borne out of his initiative. The new building, built at a cost of over Rs.5 crore, will house over a dozen offices such as revenue, taluk, sub-treasury, agriculture and legal metrology.
Developing a unique tourism circuit connecting places of cultural and historic significance in and around Perumbavoor is a pet project being nurtured by the MLA. Kodanad, Malayattoor, Panieli Poru and Kalady are among the destinations in the circuit. The bridge joining Malayattoor and Kodanad, under construction, will add to the flow of tourists. Kalady and Malayattoor, destinations of pilgrimage tourism, are expected to attract hundreds of tourists once the project materialises.
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About 100 acres, set apart at Abhayaranyam, an animal rescue centre near Kodanad, is being provided with amenities to accommodate a host of animals such as spotted deer, sambar and elephants. A small island, Vemboor, nearby, is another attraction for the tourists. A hanging bridge, connecting it to the mahogany forests on the Periyar river side, is under construction. Panieli Poru, a scenic place on the banks of Periyar, is another locale of immense beauty where efforts are on to elevate it as a unique tourist spot.