Latest news with #K-SMART
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Hmm... can do better: Four years in, Pinarayi 2.0 cabinet gets a lukewarm report card
With the LDF government completing four years in office today, it is time for appraisal of Pinarayi 2.0 cabinet. To ensure a fair and in-depth evaluation, TNIE engaged an independent panel of experts to review all 21 ministers. Each minister was rated on a scale of 0 to 10 across five key parameters: proficiency, responsiveness, accessibility, professionalism, and image and credibility. Here are the results. Pinarayi Vijayan Chief Minister, Home & Vigilance The commissioning of the Vizhinjam Port well before the deadline has reinforced his image as an able administrator who delivers. But the SFIO probe against his daughter in the CMRL case and LDF's poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls were a personal setback. His handling of the home ministry, this year too, came under criticism. The chief minister, apparently, expects a smooth sail in the final lap as more developmental initiatives are nearing completion. Proficiency: 7 Responsiveness: 6.67 Accessibility: 4.17 Professionalism: 5.83 Image & credibility: 5.5 2024 Score: 4.34 2025 score: 5.83 / 10 R Bindu Higher Education, Social Justice The Private Universities Bill, a major shift in LDF policy, is aimed at providing more educational opportunities for students to plug large-scale migration. With a new governor at the helm as chancellor, the minister hopes to have a smooth sail in the last year of her tenure. On the social justice front, Bindu, however, is yet to make a mark. Proficiency: 4.17 Responsiveness: 4.42 Accessibility: 4.67 Professionalism: 4.08 Image & credibility: 4.53 2024 Score: 4.66 2025 score: 4.37 / 10 M B Rajesh Local Self-government, Excise Implementation of K-SMART has significantly enhanced the service efficiency of local self-government institutions. He has succeeded in laying the groundwork for making Kerala garbage-free, but more sustained efforts are needed to meet the deadline of March 2026 for going garbage-free. As excise minister, he is not bold enough, which is reflected in the new liquor policy, which lacks punch. Proficiency: 5.58 Responsiveness: 5.67 Accessibility: 5.83 Professionalism: 5.33 Image & credibility: 5.67 2024 Score: 5.6 2025 score: 5.62 / 10 P Rajeeve Industries, Law and Coir His efforts to improve the business climate and to project an investment-friendly image have largely paid off. But the state is yet to attract significant investments. Initiatives like the Draft Logistics Policy and the Campus Industrial Park Programme are promising. He could also turn some PSUs profitable. But traditional sectors like cashew and coir are still under stress. Proficiency: 6.75 Responsiveness: 6.67 Accessibility: 6.67 Professionalism: 6.17 Image & credibility: 6.33 2024 Score: 5.6 2025 score: 6.52 / 10
New Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Harithamithram 2.0 to transform waste management in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first, the state is all set to modernise its waste management by integrating technology. The Local Self Government Department is all set to unveil Harithamithram 2.0, the next-generation Smart Garbage Monitoring System. Integrated with the K-SMART (Kerala Smart Management of Administrative Reforms and Technology) platform, the new system is designed to streamline, digitise and make waste management more transparent and efficient across the state. According to official sources, a beta version of the application has already been launched and the government will launch the new application for the public by next month. With the introduction of the new application, citizens will get a slew of services, including on-demand services, online payment of user fee for waste management services and will help ensure real-time communication between citizens, Haritha Karma Sena members, enforcement teams and local self-government institutions. An official of LSGD said that the platform will bring together Haritha Karma Sena members, citizens, various departments and service providers to a single platform. LSGD Special Secretary T V Anupama told TNIE that the Harithamithram 2.0 is going to be an improved and more efficient application compared to the present application.
