‘Sustainable reporting’ and social audit have become imperative in the state while charting development projects, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said here on Monday.
Protests coming up with regard to development projects of various hues are owing to the lack of reporting in a transparent manner for the benefit of the public on specifics related to a given initiative, he said while speaking at a seminar on ‘Contemporary Politics and Kerala Development.’
He said it’s time for all political parties to reinvent themselves while the state should gear up for second generation initiatives to retain its position as one which sets models for the world itself on various fronts.
“Only through sustainable reporting on a project, people will become convinced and support sustained development,’’ Ramesh stressed.
The session marked the finale of the two-week-long seminar series on the topic, organised by the Press Club here and addressed leaders of political parties.
Social audit will ensure transparency whereas ‘sustainable reporting’ will clear the apprehensions of the people on a proposed or upcoming project, he said.
“The seaplane project is a case in point. A consensus is needed for sustainable development.
It will also avoid the inordinate delay in the implementation of projects. The state needs cost-effective, efficient projects based on optimum utilisation of resources.
The state can look forward to only soft and eco-friendly industries, owing to its unique features. A new outlook on sustainable development is essential,’’ Ramesh said.
The widening gap between haves and have-nots in the Kerala society should be a cause of concern and a conscious effort for a balancing act is needed for equitable distribution of wealth, the KPCC president said.
“In its two years in office, the UDF Government had contributed much to the sustainable development of the state.But that is not enough,’’ he assessed.
“As for the Opposition LDF, it is not giving any constructive support,’’ he blamed. ‘’All political parties should re-invent themselves and think beyond politics for constructive development,’’ he said.
“The Congress will give lead for such a change in the thought and action process with the ultimate aim of the state’s comprehensive development,’’ he said.
“It is not good for the state to dissuade investors like M A Yousuf Ali while coming up with the Bolgatty project. It will turn away investors,’’ Ramesh said.
“Private-public participation in projects and fully private ventures are the only viable options in front of the state, given its resource crunch to the tune of Rs 1 lakh crore public debt,’’ Ramesh Chennithala said.
