Thiruvananthapuram: Reiterating the Left Democratic Front's development and welfare measures in the second term, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan during his first policy address said the government would uphold democracy, secularism and gender justice. The government would eradicate socio-economic inequalities and emphasise on welfare and development, he said while announcing a slew of policy measures.
Rs 1000 Crore comprehensive package for the Health sector
While the state's healthcare sector reels under the deadly second wave of Covid-19, Khan has announced the sector will be given a boost with a comprehensive Rs 1000 crore package.
The State has approached domestic manufacturers to buy one crore vaccines. Khan said, the State’s strong COVID prevention measures would be continued. COVID has created a crisis in all sectors. A global tender has been floated for 3 crore vaccine doses to ensure vaccine availability in the State, he said.
COVID vaccination is free to all. It is to cost an additional Rs 1000 crore expenditure to the State exchequer, Khan added. In Kerala, as many as 65, 92,745 have taken the first dose of COVID vaccine and 2,19,936 have taken the second dose of the vaccine.
Stating that through the policy of free, universal and rapid COVID 19 vaccination, the Governor said Kerala has been able to limit the COVID mortality rates. Cost-free COVID treatment would continue in the Government health facilities.
Though the pandemic may have caused an impediment to the expected level of economic growth, the attempt is to turn the State into a knowledge economy. The pace of Kerala Bank modernisation would be hastened.
The State could effectively handle the first wave of COVID 19. Rs 50 crores were spent to ensure food for all through the community hotels. The Governor lauded the local self-governance institutions’ work through the community kitchens during COVID times.
2000 Wi-Fi connections to be installed in public places
Governor Khan said that the State would set up 2000 Wi-Fi connections in public places and squares. The State’s intention is to ensure digital services to common people also.
K Fon project would be commissioned in a time-bound manner. The developmental works of the Information technology parks Techno Park and Info Park would be taken up.
Also read: Kerala HC seeks explanation on Lakshadweep reforms
Farmers’ income to be increased by 50 per cent over the next 5 years
One of the key declarations in the Governor’s policy address was the special emphasis given by the State for the agriculture sector. The farmers’ income would be increased by 50 per cent over the next 5 years through agro-processing, value addition and marketing. Small scale food processing units would be set up. All Krishi Bhavans would be transformed into ‘Smart’ Krishi Bhavans.
The agricultural yield would be enhanced by utilising the scientists’ research and studies from Kerala Agricultural University and other allied institutes, the Governor said.
Self-sustainability would be achieved in vegetable production. The production of planting materials would be given a boost and it would be distributed through an online portal. New nursery norms would be implemented to ensure the quality of seeds for the farmers.
The base price of the crops would be increased every year. Block-level monitoring committees would be formed to increase paddy cultivation. The Government would also examine the possibilities of urban farming.
A 24-hour veterinary service would be extended to all the 77 Taluks. A new centre would be developed for the goats under the National Livestock Mission in Thiruvananthapuram. To ensure optimum dairy production and reproductivity, a special programme would be implemented to nurture the calves.
There would be a fifty per cent rise in the job opportunities in the Animal Husbandry and dairy production sectors. A veterinary ambulance would be operated in all the 152 Block panchayaths in the State.
Also read: Police find Bengaluru gang-rape victim in Kerala
An authority to consolidate river basin conservation activities
A River Basin Conservation and Management authority would be constituted to consolidate all activities regarding water in the river basins. The draft bill for the constitution of the authority is ready and it would be implemented this year itself.
The Irrigation Department would commission an authentic web-based platform - Kerala Water Resources Information System - for the weather warnings, water conservation in reservoirs and water quality, the Governor said.
Extreme care would be taken to protect the life and property of people living along the coasts where the coastal erosion is severe - including Chellanam, Kaippamangalam, Cherthala and Poonthura.
A community-based micro-irrigation project would be started in the name of former Minister K M Mani. Community-level micro-irrigation projects would be emphasised to increase the productivity of cash crops, fruit trees and vegetables excluded from irrigation schemes.
Even amidst the COVID pandemic crisis, functional tap connections have been provided to 4.04 lakh families as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission. In the next 4 years, all urban families would be given pipe connection under the Jal Jeevan Mission. As the Parambikkulam Aliyar inter-State river water treaty has expired, The State would enter into a new agreement which is also acceptable to Tamil Nadu and implement the same. It would also be ensured that the new treaty is not against the interests of our State.
The 30 TMC of water that Kerala receives from the Kaveri basin would be utilised for appropriate irrigation projects like the Attappadi valley irrigation scheme, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said, delivering his policy address in the State Assembly.
The first policy address of the second term of the Pinaryi Vijayan led LDF Government, presented by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan in the Assembly on Friday, brims with hope. The Governor started the policy address at 9 am after the ceremonial guard of honour and a red carpet welcome at the State Assembly. He was received by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Speaker M B Rajesh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister K Radhakrishnan.
Also read: Lakshadweep orders curbs on air ambulance service
