THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finally the Prime Minister's Office has granted appointment to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan led all party delegation from the state to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Friday, the PMO informed the state government that the 17-member delegation can meet the PM on July 19. The Prime Minister denying appointment to Pinarayi Vijayan four times earlier had kicked up a row.
The PMO has informed the state government that the CM-led delegation can meet the Prime Minister on July 19. A host of issues including disparities in ration allocation to the state, central support for major developmental initiatives in the state, Kerala's concerns regarding the Terms of Reference in the 15th Finance Commission, are expected to be discussed at the meeting.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who's currently on a two-week visit to the United States, will be back on July 18. In addition to the Chief minister, the 17-member delegation will have two ministers - Food minister P Thilothaman, Ports minister Ramachandran Kadannappally - along with representatives of all political parties which have representation in the Assembly, said the Chief Minister's Office. KPCC chief MM Hassan, CPI state assistant secretary Sathyan Mokeri are part of the delegation to call on the PM.
In June, for the fourth time in a row, the PMO had denied appointment to Pinarayi to meet the Prime Minister. The all party delegation was planning to meet the Prime Minister to discuss various issues including disparities in ration allocation to the state.
While denying permission to the CM, the PMO had asked the Chief Minister to meet the Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan to discuss the issue. Earlier, the Chief Minister and all party delegation had sought appointment with the PM on various issues including setback to Kerala following demonetisation.