Thiruvananthapuram Governor Arif Muhammad Khan arrayed notable accomplishments of the current government while announcing state policy on Friday. In his speech, the governor also appreciated the government’s stand on a variety of issues ranging from covid mitigation to NAA to the citizens’ register.
“This government fought against covid with vigour. It took care to see no one went hungry while under pandemic. The state has been also the first to announce covid-relief package. The govt also provided its people with free grocery kits and free-of-cost covid treatment. The govt has also been successful in pulling all its departments together to work its mitigation efforts,” said the governor.
The current government is also one that fulfilled all promises it made in its election manifesto, the governor pointed out. It was able to garner wide public support during the local body elections.
The government has been able to ask and procure centre’s help at crucial junctures. The governor also highlighted social security benefit upped by the current government from previous Rs 600 per month to the current Rs 1500 pm. The government took steps to strengthen the public unit sector in the state. Rehabilitation of expats will be taken up as priority, the governor said in his speech.
The governor also read out the policy on government’s stance against the new farm laws : “The new agricultural laws benefit middlemen and corporates. The laws will also hurt consumer state like Kerala. The farmers’ protests are pivotal defense. The new laws will impact support prices and will pave way to hoarding. Kerala will work towards agricultural self-reliance,” the governor read.
The govt launched Rs 25,000 crore project to aid various sections population and businesses. Centre’s aid is inadequate for the state to be able to tide over state’s economic slowdown brought down by covid. The state is faced with a wait up to 2023 in order to receive its dues in GST compensation. The centre has not become willing to raise the share limit. Such confusions during difficult times can deepen the crisis further. There has been steep rise in fuel prices and has impacted state economy in several ways. Hike of Excise Duty has created its own kind of crisis too.
The government has been able to integrate the state’s district cooperative banks and form the Kerala Bank. Gail project has been a proud feat for the state . A total of Rs 8000 crore is being set aside this year for welfare schemes, the governor read.
When the centre prepared to amend the National Citizenship Act, the state government stepped forward to preserve secularism. It also refused to allow compromise on federalism. Centre and state government worked together to keep the federal structure intact for the country.
Statewide renovation of data centres is planned for 2021. KFON project will be rolled out shortly from now. KFON will make available free-of-cost internet for poor households in the state. The semi-high-speed rail project awaits nod from the centre. Detail project report has been submitted in this regard, the governor said in his speech.
