CM to Leave for Delhi Today
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Expressing Kerala’s concerns on the issues of Mullaperiyar and CRZ norms along with raising demands for development, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, along with his Cabinet colleagues, will leave for Delhi on Wednesday to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers. Though the meeting with the Prime Minister has not been confirmed yet, it is expected that Chandy can meet him on Thursday or Friday.
The chief minister informed the Assembly on Wednesday that he would try to meet the Prime Minister and Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti in connection with the state’s concerns on increasing the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam and the need to find a permanent solution to the dispute between the two neighbouring states.
Kerala had already expressed concern over implementing the Coastal Regulation Zone notification. During the visit, the chief minister will raise the issue, as also the state’s demand for sanctioning two more DGP cadre posts. The state’s demands to be addressed in the Railway Budget will also be taken up with the Centre. A final decision on the ministers to accompany the chief minister will be taken after confirming the meeting with the Prime Minister.
On Wednesday the chief minister will attend the meeting of MPs from the state in connection with the state’s demands to be raised before the Railway Ministry ahead of the Rail Budget. Following this, on Thursday afternoon he will meet Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
The chief minister will hold talks with a number of other central ministers, including Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh and Road Transport Highways, Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Oommen Chandy’s meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Union Minister of State of Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman have not been confirmed yet. On Friday, Chandy will hold talks with Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.