LDF govt committed to building a ‘Nava Keralam', says Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
The goal of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government is to achieve comprehensive development of the State, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
Speaking at a district-level meeting in connection with the fourth anniversary of the present LDF government in Alappuzha on Tuesday, Mr. Vijayan said the government was committed to creating a 'Nava Keralam'.
'When we say Nava Keralam, it means elevating the State to a standard of living on a par with that of middle-income nations and developed countries. We have already made significant progress in that direction, but there is still more to be achieved. This is not just an idea, it is something that should become a reality,' the Chief Minister said.
He said the government was able to complete the Vizhinjam International Seaport project by overcoming several challenges. 'The Vizhinjam port is one of the major ports in the world. The LDF government adopted a firm stance to materialise the project. Though the LDF had earlier expressed some disagreements regarding the agreement signed by the United Democratic Front (UDF) government in 2015, the LDF government, which came to power in 2016, decided to move forward because it was essential for the State's development,' Mr. Vijayan said.
The Chief Minister said that even when the State 'did not receive support' from the Union government, Kerala was able to move forward. 'The State's own revenue has increased. Both domestic and per capita incomes have improved significantly. The State, as a whole, has been moving towards progress,' Mr. Vijayan said.
He said that most of the promises made in the LDF manifesto had been implemented. He recalled that when the LDF government came to power nine years ago, public education and healthcare sectors were in decline.
'We have successfully revived the sectors. NITI Aayog itself has acknowledged that Kerala now has the best public education system in the country. Similarly, the healthcare sector has also become stronger. Other sectors, including agriculture and industry, have been witnessing growth. The LDF government is materialising national highway development, city gas project and so on, which the previous UDF government failed to implement. In the industrial sector, Kerala has secured the top position in the country for ease of doing business. All of this reflects the government's commitment to the State and its people,' Mr. Vijayan said, adding that a government should never adopt a stance that hinders development.
He said Kerala was the State with the lowest poverty rate in India. 'On November 1, Kerala is set to become the only State in the country without any people living in extreme poverty. Our development is not based on any specific region or group. We are committed to the development of the entire State,' Mr. Vijayan said.
Agriculture Minister P. Prasad presided. Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian, Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar, MLAs and others attended the programme.
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