Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan marks his 1,000 days with a slew of new initiatives

The LDF government of Kerala celebrated its 1,000 Nalla Divasangal (1000 good days) on Wednesday and promptly marked it with a slew of new initiatives.

Claiming to be successful in being investor-friendly, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, went on to elaborate about the various initiatives that are ongoing or are planned to be instituted in his celebratory address. In order to make this state a viable option for the investors, “We have amended about seven legislations and various rules (about 10) for the purpose,” said Vijayan. “If a clearance seeking investment is not met with any response in 30 days then it may be deemed that the investment has been cleared,” said a determined Vijayan.

Continuing in a rueful vein, he mentioned, “Earlier, there was a feeling nothing will happen here. But this government was able to change that mindset. A lot of new initiatives, including the National Highway development, laying of GAIL pipeline, Kovalam-Bekal Water in addition to Coastal Highway and Hill Highway are progressing.”

Sentiment rode high when he broached, “This is a time when even the central government representative themselves are saying that they will not be able to implement all the projects mentioned in the election manifesto. But the LDF government has been implementing what it had promised. The people are supporting this and that is the success of this government.”

Pride of evincing positive results was quite evident and why wouldn't it be. When Vijayan took over the reins, the PSUs were ₹131.60 cr in the red and now standing on the cusp of his 1,000th day in power we were shown that the PSU's are back in black generating a ₹160 cr profit margin. The thrust areas have been total electrification, and sprucing up for the IT sector, specially the start-ups. Results were at hand to see as Kerala has been judged to be the best performer in the start-up sector in 2017 as per Vijayan.

He also cited that during his tenure, ₹41,326 worth of project has been sanctioned by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) and that when the impending Kerala Bank will be launched, it should pace way for drawing out sizable investments from the The Non Resident Keralites (NRKs).

Speaking of numbers, the CM didn't fail to mention that while 1,03,362 title deeds have been already processed, the government is concerning themselves with providing the landless with housings under the aegis of LIFE Mission. Further iterating the benevolent disposition of his jurisdiction, he let known that 2,57,959 heads have benefited from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund, something to the tune of ₹939 cr.

Direct progress is as important as the factors that throw the spanner in the works. Vijayan said that he has decided to assemble the political parties to discuss the burgeoning issue of the strikes with a aim to find a solution such that these back to back strikes don't cripple the growth progress of the state. He has also vowed to tackle corruption at the top level. “Much has been done, still there’s some more to do to ensure total eradication of corruption in the state,” he said. His clarion call to did those who “are trying to block these developments” was, “I have one thing to say to such people; don’t play that game.”

On the future course of action, he said, “The Sabarimala airport is a long-standing demand of the devotees. We have decided to go ahead with the project. There are a lot of things to be done in the state following the devastating floods. Help from countries like the UAE would have been useful. Our state has a special place in their heart. However, the union government's stubbornness prevented us from availing such assistance.” The first phase of waterways is also touted to be completed by 2020.

The proceedings that was overseen by Minister T P Ramakrishnan had Ministers Kadannappalli Ramachandran, A K Saseendran, M P Veerendra Kumar, MP MLAs A Pradeepkumar, V K C Mammed Koya, K Dasan and E K Vijayan among others as dignitaries.

The valedictory session of this celebration is scheduled to be held in Delhi on February 27.