Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has underlined the importance of effectively utilising funds allocated by the Central government for various schemes.
He was inaugurating the State-level commencement of various schemes of the State Horticultural Mission at a function here on Saturday.
Mr. Chandy said it was the State government's responsibility to ensure clarity and transparency in the utilisation of the funds sanctioned for various Central government-assisted schemes. He said the funds should be utilised totally without allowing them to lapse.
He said the Horticultural Mission had been sanctioned projects to the tune of Rs.77 crore by the Central government. An additional Rs.43 crore was also allocated to it. If these funds were fully utilised, more funds would be granted to the State for horticultural activities next year, he said.
100-day programme
Mr. Chandy said the government's success in its 100-day programme was a victory for the unity of the Ministry.
Agricultural Minister K.P. Mohanan presided over the function.
Mr. Chandy also disbursed funds from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund among beneficiaries in the district. The family of Rajamani of Thrippangottur village here who was killed when the sunshade of a house fell on her was given a cheque of Rs.2 lakh from the fund.
The family of Surendran in Koothuparamba village who died when he was accidentally thrown off a train and that of T. Vishnu of Mokeri who drowned were given Rs.3 lakh each.
Horticultural Mission Director K. Prathapan explained the projects being implemented. MLAs A.P. Abdullakutty and Sunny Joseph were present at the function.
A three-day agricultural seminar and exhibition being held in connection with the inauguration began at the Koothuparamba municipal stadium.