The Cabinet has decided to write off the loans of up to Rs.25,000 availed from government agencies and cooperatives by Christian converts from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Announcing the decision, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said here on Wednesday that the moratorium on recovery of loans availed by fishermen would be extended by six months from November 1. An ombudsman would be appointed for redressing complaints related to the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme.
The Cabinet also decided to permit provision of water and electricity connections for buildings in Idukki district on the basis of certificates issued by local self-governments. The government had imposed restrictions on providing water and electricity connections to buildings in the district following detection of large number of encroachments and unauthorised construction of buildings in environmentally sensitive areas. It subsequently reneged on action against the encroachers.
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The Cabinet cleared proposals to set up an industrial training centre at Thuneri in Kozhikode district and start a unit of Centre for Continuing Education at Ponnani. It also formed a committee with Chief Minister to oversee the EMS Housing Scheme.
Poll boycott helps
Boycott of the bypoll by the people of a locality near Kochi has brought immediate redressal for their grievance. The Cabinet sanctioned Rs.8.60 lakh for the construction of a road to Mulavukadu in the Ernakulam Assembly constituency on Wednesday.
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The people of the locality had boycotted the bypoll mainly in protest against the delay in the development of the road.
The Cabinet decided to entrust the work to the Goshree Island Development Authority (GIDA). Land would be acquired for the project. The Cabinet authorised GIDA to pay compensation for the land. If houses are to be acquired, occupants will be given alternative land to build houses.