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Kerala Governor Nikhil Kumar has regretted “increasing fissiparous tendencies to resort to subterfuge and insinuations for political advantage” by the Leftist opposition of the southern state. |
Making the customary address at the opening of the Kerala Assembly’s winter session yesterday, he said the opposition was resorting to such tactics even on matters where courts have not seen it appropriate to intervene.
“My government has always welcomed any constructive criticism,” he said. “(It) has handled all such agitations in the highest democratic traditions, as any elected government should, even though on many occasions, (they) have grossly breached the bounds of dignity and order and have even endangered lives and compromised the rights and freedom of people”.
The governor was hinting at the long-drawn agitation by the opposition, including siege to the State Secretariat and the official residence of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy as well as waylaying him, and demanding his resignation over a scam in which a couple cheated many of around Rs60mn, offering solar panels and investment options.
Members of the opposition led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) arrived in the Assembly waving placards and banners against the government and raised slogans as the governor began his speech.
“Expressing dissent is an inalienable right of a human being. But, needless to say, freedom without restraint is a sure recipe for chaos and disaster,” he said. “It is again well worth remembering that these are difficult times when the fabric of secularism in our country is increasingly being threatened.”
Opposition Leader VS Achuthanadan stood up and demanded Chandy’s resignation over the “solar scam” and protested the current round of hike in cooking gas prices for non-subsidy consumers. His speech was, however, not clearly audible as the microphones were turned off.
The governor, however, continued his address laying down the broad contours of development and welfare schemes to be taken up the government in the year ahead. After a few minutes, the opposition members resumed their seats but raised slogans again when the governor concluded his address.
“My government is delivering commendably on the promises that were made to the people when it took office. Most of the key projects that had gone into dormancy have been revived and put on a fast track,” he said.
Seeking to promote youth entrepreneurship in a big way, he said the government would provide budgetary support to young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and in setting up new enterprises.
The Government proposed to set up Industrial Development Zones in the state capital as well as Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur and a manufacturing cluster in Kochi for high priority electronic products with central assistance.
The address also laid thrust on improving the quality of education and healthcare Sectors, to meet the emerging challenges besides aggressively promoting hi-tech precision farming to attract educated youngsters.
On the social security front, an initiative called “we care” will be launched for mobilising funds and to develop a corps of voluntary care workers.
Considering the high rate of growth of cancer in the state, the surgical oncology, radiotherapy and radiation departments of all government medical colleges would be merged and upgraded into mini Regional Cancer Centres for extending tertiary cancer care. All the 14, barring one district of the state will have a government-run medical college soon.
A special force would also be set up in the police to deal with extremist activities and 250 women Sub Inspectors and 1,000 women constables would be recruited through a special drive.
The government aims at “taking Kerala to the same level as the more advanced Nordic countries by 2040 based on a planned growth of 7.5%”.
More than 500 services are being brought under the e-governance umbrella and 5.2mn digitally signed certificates have been disbursed this year so far.
