THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government will continue to act firmly against corruption, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Saturday. At a meeting with editors from the print and electronics media on the occasion of his government’s first anniversary, the Chief Minister said media had endorsed the government’s uncompromising stand against corruption.
“Despite criticism by certain media on certain issues, they had generally endorsed the achievements of the government in the past one year. Media’s suggestions will always be taken into serious consideration. But, if a project is beneficial to the people, the government will not bow before criticism and stop or abandon the project,” he said.
The Chief Minister further said the editorial published by most newspapers had lauded the government’s performance. To the editors’ remarks, he said the government was planning to formulate a major project to clean the rivers. If required, a special board will be constituted in this regard. Steps will be taken to expedite the single-window system for industries.
This will get a reference in the industrial policy. He said all the four Nava Kerala Missions will be implemented with the cooperation of all stakeholders ensuring the support of the Opposition parties. However, he conceded waste treatment projects had not progressed well yet.
He said the Kerala Cooperative Bank will strengthen the cooperative sector. With the setting up of the bank, instead of the current three-tier system, it will be limited to a two-tier system. As the district banks will cease to exist, the Nabard fund will be transferred directly to the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS).
He also said e-governance will bring in the much-needed change in the functioning of the government. The demand for extending the date of Plus One admission will be considered in the wake of the delay in the publication of CBSE Class X results.
Assistance for aided schools
The Chief Minister said, as part of the campaign to protect the general education sector, aided schools will also be given financial assistance. The government will make available the same fund the school management and the PTA contribute for the development of schools. But the government share will have a cap of `1 crore.
He said the national and international media had lauded the efforts of the state government in speeding up the National Highway development and the laying of GAIL pipelines. The government had also been able to change the impression of developmental stagnation in the state.
On containing strife and violence, he said the government was striving to contain them. Discussions will continue.
The editors raised several issues like the stray dog menace, GST, e-governance, private investment, using social media for government communication, interaction between the government and media and the ban on cattle slaughter. Pinarayi promised the editors such suggestions will be considered seriously.