Harping on Development Mantra, Cabinet Okays Kerala Vision 2030
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major developmental initiative, the Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Kerala Vision 2030, formulated by the Planning Board.
The projects and concepts proposed under the Kerala Vision 2030 would be included in the Annual and Five Year Plans of the State Government.
Announcing the Cabinet decisions on Wednesday, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said a decision has been taken to set up expert panels to advice the government on including the concepts and ideas of Kerala Vision 2030 in Annual and Five Year Plans of the government and to formulate the necessary policies and establishments in this regard. ‘’The expert panels will review, monitor and assess the projects that come under Kerala Vision 2030. They will also identify and point out projects that can be implemented soon,’’ Chandy said.
The Kerala Vision 2030 was finalised after detailed discussions for more than an year and collecting opinions from the public. The Planning Board formulated the Kerala Vision 2030 with the technical assistance of National Council of Applied Economic Research in New Delhi. Prepared on the basis of certain parameters, including environmental and social sustainability, Vision 2030 would focus on basic infrastructure development, health and primary education, ensuring quality of higher education, development of economic sector, use of scientific technologies and other novel initiatives, the Chief Minister said.
Cancer Centre
In a move aimed at expediting establishment of Kochi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, the Cabinet decided to grant necessary funds for the project. A separate Head of Account would be created for the cancer institute.
‘’Funds necessary for the project would be sanctioned by including it under the Supplementary Demand for Grants (SDG). The budget allocation for the project is `5 crore,’’ Chandy said.
Chandy said the land for the project has already been allotted in the Cooperative Medical College compound. The DPR (Detailed project Report) has been prepared and stone would be laid very soon.
New College
As part of the government’s policy to sanction arts and science colleges in all constituencies, the Cabinet has decided to start an Arts and Science College at Kunnamangalam constituency in Kozhikode this year itself. There will be three courses - BCom, BA Economics and BSc Geography. A special officer will also be posted for the purpose, the Chief Minister said.
Assistance
The government has decided to issue financial assistance to a visually-challenged student who got admission in IIT Madras. K P Mani of Erikulam Laksham Veedu Colony at Madikkai panchayat in Kasargod will be given financial assistance of `2,01,500 to meet the expenses of hostel fee for 10 semesters during his course at IIT.
“Mani, son of Kannan and Vilasini, hails from a financially backward family. He became blind at the age of 10; and he belongs to the backward community. Recently, he got admission to IIT. As a goodwill gesture, the IIT officials exempted him from paying the course fee. But the hostel fee would come to a huge amount. In this situation, the government decided to bear the hostel expenses. The government decided to issue financial assistance by considering it as a special case,’’ Chandy said.
Other Decisions
On the basis of reports of shortage of staff, the Cabinet decided to create seven posts in Mananthavadi district hospital.
The posts sanctioned are five junior consultants, one assistant surgeon and one laboratory technician. It was also decided to create posts of 60 women SIs and 250 women police constables.
The government has already promised to appoint women SIs and women police personnel. It’s as part of the decision that the posts were created, the CM said.