KERALA

CALLING

May 2013 | Volume 33 | Number 7

www.kerala.gov.in/publications.htm

12 SmartCity: A Vision for future P.K. Kunhalikutty 16 Finance gets human face K M Mani 20 Enhancing Agriculture K P Mohanan 22 Working places safe Wages better Shibu Baby John 24 Ensured food sufficient Anoop Jacob 26 Enhancing Power Generation Aryadan Mohammed 28 Future better planned K C Joseph 32 A plus P K Abdu Rabb 36 Strengthened force Secured people Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan 38 Zero Landless Adoor Prakash 40 Preserving Water resources P J Joseph 42 Kerala Tourism: Prime Destination A P Anilkumar 44 Now, socially responsible K Babu 46 Everything for People C N Balakrishnan 48 Roads toward World class V K Ebrahim Kunju 50 Packages for under privileged P K Jayalekshmi 52 Panchayats Strengthened Dr. M K Muneer 54 Urbans become more urban Manjalamkuzhi Ali 56 Health Care with a vision V S Sivakumar 58 Strategy for a sustained growth 62 Karunya: Benevolence Incredible R Venugopal 64 Mass Transport System for Trivandrum B G Sreedevi 68 Steps Fruitful Kiran Ram 4
Newscan

Dreams with perfect vision Oommen Chandy

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Photo Feature

KERALACALLING
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EDITORIAL
Keeping pace with time
he UDF Government is completing its two fruitful years. As we all know, two years is short span for evaluating the performance of a government. Even then, the achievements of the state government led by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the past two years are a clear indication towards progress. Quick action, pro-poor measures, transparency in administration, corruption free bureaucracy, simplified administrative procedures etc. are expected by common man from a democratic government. If the past two years of the state government's activities are judged based on these parameters, no doubt we can say that the UDF Government is of the people and for the people. A Government order can be seen as the face of a government. The attitude of the government to its people is always reflected in the orders. The administrative procedures should be simplified so that common man can enjoy their benefits easily. The Government Orders issued in the past two years are self explanatory for its pro-people attitude. On the Developmental side, the steps taken on various projects will surely change the status of our state in the economic front. All hurdles have been cleared to initiate Smart City Project. Kochi Metro has become a reality; Technopark is all set to become the biggest IT park in our country; the novel scheme, Start - Up village, to promote a new entrepreneurial culture has been widely accredited. Transforming the youth into job providers rather than job seekers is a vision with far sight. Both Welfare measures and developmental activities should go hand in hand as far as a perfect Government is concerned. The State Government, no doubt, is keeping pace in this direction. Kerala is yet again going to become a pioneer not only in the developmental front but also in the social sector. The soothing touch to the needy is not a new phenomenon from this government. One can judge the quality of care in the case of Endosulphan package and the cochlear implantation scheme. The State Government is entering into the third year of its tenure with stability and clear vision to implement more people-friendly schemes and to achieve higher developmental goals. No doubt, Kerala is keeping pace with time. A Firoz Editor in Chief

RESPONSE

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF A. Firoz Director, I&PRD CO-ORDINATING EDITOR Jacob Samson Additional Director DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF K C Anil Kumar Deputy Director EDITOR K.M. Aiyyappan ASST. EDITOR Sunil Hassan SUB EDITOR Binu B CIRCULATION OFFICER Shaila Beegam DESIGNER V.S. Prakash DESIGN & LAYOUT Ratheesh Kumar R

Representatives: New Delhi

M Nafih | Thiruvananthapuram T A Shine | Kollam K Abdul Rasheed Pathanamthitta R Sakthi Kumar | Idukki K R Pramod Kumar | Alappuzha | Ernakulam T C Chandrahasan Kottayam V P Pramod Kumar | Thrissur M S Alikkunju | Palakkad C Ayyappan | Malappuram V P Sulabha Kumari Kozhikode K P Abdul Khadar | Wayanad E Sajeev | Kannur E V Sugathan | Kasaragod K Abdul Rahman

Strategy for a sustained growth

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NEWSCAN

Kerala to be hunger-free soon

Kerala will soon turn into a hungerfree state, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. He was speaking at the inaugural function of the Hunger-free City project at the Medical College Hospital Thiruvananthapuram. Aiming at the poor and needy sections of society, the project is a joint initiative of the Social Security Mission along with the Jail authorities and Health Department. Under the project, about 100 inmates of Central prison will prepare meals for more than 2000 people at the newly- equipped kitchen on a daily basis. The meal packets titled Samthripthi will be distributed by the jail authorities. As of now, the authorities have decided to distribute meal packets to the patients of Medical College Hospital, Super-speciality block and SAT Hospital, free of cost. At present, the project functions at Kozhikode, Kollam and Malappuram districts. The mission is planning to extend the scheme to old age homes and other institutions with the help of NSS and SPCA, said M K Muneer, Minister for Social Welfare and Panchayat. As a part of this, a survey will be conducted to assess the number of poor people coming to the city. It will also aim to count the number of poor people within the city, said the Minister.

Government takes over Sukumar Azhikodes house

The Cultural Department took over the property of the late writer-cum-orator Sukumar Azhikode at Eravimangalam in Thrissur to convert it into a memorial. of Azhikode. As per the agreement thehouse with a plinth area of 1320.67sqft in 20.43 cents land, more than 10,000 books, 2,000 awards and other memorabilia like pen, chair and a bed comes to the possession of tghe State government. The house situates on the banks of a river at Eravimangalam. The late writers house and memorabilia will come under the direct supervision of the Sahitya Cultural Affairs Minister K C Joseph Kerala took over the documents of the house Academy. for the state government from the heirs

Encouraging farmers
Kerala is the only state encouraging farmers of other states. We should also promote all what we produce, said Minister for Agriculture K P Mohanan while inaugurating the National Honey and Mango Festival 2013. The Festival was organised by the department of Agriculture in association with the State Horticulture Mission and Horticorp at the Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds. The exhibition included local and South Indian varieties of mangoes. The panchavarnnam, sindhoora, kotturkkonam, banganapally, dhaseri, alphonso, neelam, kilichundan, kalpadi, amarapali, sendhura, malgova, totapuri, mallika, sakkara gutty and rose mary were some of the varieties.

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Employment exchanges to be made employability centres

The employment exchanges in the state would be converted into Employability Centres with the introduction of the Additional Skill Enhancement Programme (ASEP), said Minister for Labour and Rehabilitation Shibu Baby John. The project is aimed at converting Employment Exchanges into employment generation centres. These employability centres are being established to change the face of the employment exchanges, which are institutions for registering the names of the unemployed youth, to skill development centres. This dream project is being implemented with the support of Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence, functioning under the Labour Department. The possible job opportunities in private sectors will be explored and the youth will be trained for it through the employability centres. These centres are being started as part of the modernisation programme according to the changes in the society, said the Minister. The youth will be equipped to get employment from these centres. Those registering at the employment exchanges will have to undergo psychometric test to find out their abilities and restrictions. They would

be given expert training and equipped for employment. Training will also be given in communication skills and language. Employment exchanges will conduct job fairs to open up employment opportunities in public and private sectors for the youth. In a phased manner, employability centres will be started in all the 14 employment exchanges in the state. In the first phase, Ernakulam, Kollam and Kozhikode employment exchanges had been converted into employability centres.

NRI survey begins

The Minister for Rural Development, Planning, NORKA and Culture K C Joseph inaugurated the survey of the NonResident Indians (NRIs) by collecting the details of one Sainudeen, Shahina Nilayam, Kaniyapuram, Thiruvananthapuram. The sixth economic survey as part of the census at the national level started in the district was also inaugurated by him. The Minister said that the census was being prepared to collect the economic details of the public. Palode Ravi MLA, Information and Public Relations Department director A Firoz also participated in the function. The enumerators of the economic survey will also fill the questionnaire of the Pravasi survey. The Pravasi survey is conducted in 12 sections depending on the employment of those who work in other countries. The survey will continue till June 12. The conduct of economic survey in the state is helpful to highlight the characteristic of the small and micro-enterprises in the state and to pinpoint the role of service sector in the changed economic scenario. It is also helpful in underlining the role of agriculture sector in setting up enterprises in the country.
May May 2013 2013

Malayalam study centres to be set up

Malayalam study centres will be set up in major cities outside the state, to help Keralites learn the language, said K C Joseph, Minister for Rural Development, Planning & Culture. The government is also exploring the possibilities of converting the Kunchan memorial centre in Killikurishimangalam into a research centre under the Malayalam University. Consultations will be held with the university authorities and a final decision will be taken by the next anniversary. The minister was inaugurating the Kunchan day celeberations at the Kalakkath Bhavan. Malayalam has been recognized as the first language by the State Government and also made compulsory. The sub committee of the Kendra Sahithya Academy has accepted the recommendation of the Government to declare Malayalam as classical language. Now the issue is under the consideration of the Central Government, the Minister said.

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K M AIYAPPAN

In the wake of the secondAnniversaryof theUDFgovernment, ChiefMinister OommenChandy spoketoKeralaCalling on a wide range of developmental activitesinKerala: Excerpts

One Year Programme

During the first year we had announced 664 programmes, of which 374 have been completed and 235 are ongoing. The performance yardstick shows 91.71 percent success. Out of the 27 initiatives planned in corruption-free and transparent administration stream, 17 have been fully implemented and nine are progressing. Right to Services Bill and IDEAS were

implemented in all departments of the Secretariat to track the movement of files. Of the 33 projects which were announced with regard to environmental protection and effective garbage disposal, 12 have been implemented and 15 are nearing completion. A total of 110 projects were announced at the Emerging Kerala summit of which 72 projects are already underway.

There is a time schedule that we have worked out and it is going as planned. Eighty Seven of the 193 projects announced under the basic infrastructure improvement programme have been completed. The state has made major strides in the IT sector with Technopark and Infopark witnessing major developments. Out of the 35 projects included in the IT stream, 26 have been completed

and only eight projects remain.

Kochi Metro
Kochi Metro will be a reliable, efficient, customer as well as eco-friendly means of rapid transit system for the city of Kochi. It is a joint venture of State and Union governments worth Rs 5146 crore. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on 13th September 2012.

KERALA CALLING

May 2013

Dreams with perfect vision

Kochi Metro Rail Limited was executing the work under the supervision of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The work of the Metro will begin on 7th June and the project will be completed within three years. Kochi Metro is a dream with a perfect vision: the vision to enhance the quality of life. It is a comprehensive development plan conceived after incorporating all possible mass transport options. According to the present plan, it not only connects the existing mass transport systems like KSRTC and railways, but also has left provision for futuristic ventures as in the Vytilla Mobility Hub. state-wide roll-out of the e-district programme, the government aims in bringing transparency and efficiency in the delivery of government services. This made Kerala to be the first Indian state. The project is the

E-District Project
Kerala becomes the first state in the country to have all the districts linked into the network of e-districts. With the
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KERALA CALLING

culmination of the computerization done in government departments. The project was aimed at providing transparent, speedy and unbiased service to our citizens. All the 14 districts of our State is now covered under edistrict project since 31st March 2013. People can approach public service centres in the State like Akshaya and FRIENDS and obtain 23 certificates issued by the Revenue Department. Between 3rd May 2010 and 3rd May 2013, a total of 16,92,474 certificates were issued as part of the project.

Land for the landless

This is the first, foremost and even now the only initiative of this kind in the entire country. It is the only system in India wherein the entire government land transaction is subjected to public scrutiny. In this project each and every bit of government land is being assigned with a 12 digit unique code for the easy retrieval of the data by the users. It is the only project in the world where the entire financial deals are put on the website for the public scrutiny on day today basis towards social audit of the

departments of Home and Education and supported by Transport, Forest, Excise and Local Self-Government departments provides an opportunity for high school students to become future leaders of a democratic society. It inculcates in them respect for law, discipline, civic sense, empathy for vulnerable sections multiplex. in the society and resistance to Once Phase III is fully social evils. The project now operational, Technopark will covers 234 high schools across have a total of 7.1 million square Kerala with a combined strength feet of built-up area (Phase I, of 16,000 cadets. Phase II, Phase III plus the Kollam Technopark) making it the Endosulfan Package biggest IT Park in the country. Endosulfan is now banned

The master plan for Smart City was approved by Board of Directors in Dubai on 14th April. The Phase I works on 50 acres of land will begin on 1st July 2013.
Smart City: What next?
All the hurdles for the launch of Smart City project is cleared. The master plan was approved by Board of Directors in Dubai on 14th April. The Phase I works on 50 acres of land will begin on 1st July 2013. There will be eight buildings spread over 15 lakh sq.ft, of which 9 lakh sq.ft earmarked for Information Technology (IT) and the remaining for non-IT purposes. Central SEZ Board has approved a single SEZ status to the entire Kochi Smart City land. Already 136 acres of land has earmarked as SEZ added to the 114 acre land and a single SEZ status was given.

in Kerala and the government came up with a comprehensive Emerging Kerala 2012 package in April 2013 for the victims of this deadly pesticide. By conducting Emerging As per the package, 9 new orders Kerala we meant to showcase were released for ensuring the potential of Kerala to global assistance and withdrawn earlier investors and to transform it into order to ensure financial a premier hub of economic assistance even after five years. activity. We have already Rs 5 lakhs for bed-ridden; Rs 5 received investment proposals lakhs to the families of the to the tune of Rs 40,000 crore in deceased, Rs 5 lakhs to the 45 major projects. Following the mentally challenged, Rs 3 lakhs event, five seminars were for cancer patients and Rs. 3 conducted by the Industries lakhs to other patients. Hospitals department. Three agencies treating Endosulfan victims assigned to monitor and report increased from 12 to 16. post-event progress viz. Treatment expenses are fully Investment Promotion Council, met by the government. Investment Clearance Board Moreover moratorium has been and Investment Promotion declared on the debts of Board. The first project in Endosulfan victims. Emerging Kerala, the Sea Plane project. It is the only project in Service would start on this year. Adamant Stand on the the world where the entire Italian Marines issue monthlywise performance of the Karunya The incident that caught employees are put on the Benevolent Fund worldwide attention saw the The government can give a website towards ensuring social Italian government exerting helping hand to those poor accountability of the project. pressure on Government of India people who are suffering from to hold trial of the case, where Status of IT Parks serious ailments like Cancer, Technopark in Thiruvanan Hemophilia, Kidney, Heart fishermen were shot dead, in thapuram is all set to become diseases, Mental illnesses, Italy. Further, the Italian the biggest IT Park in India with Thalassemia, and Sickle-cell Government breached the its Phase III nearing completion. anemia and for Palliative Care. undertaking given to the Phase III features twin towers - The fund is raised through the Supreme Court of India when it Aanamudi and Ponmudi on a 92- sale of the Kerala Government decided not to send the two acre land and are getting ready lottery - Karunya. So far financial marines back to India for facing for occupation. Developed as a assistance of Rs. 110 crores the trial. But the persistent stand Special Economic Zone and disbursed to 10,307 patients taken by the Kerala government eventually prevailed and the Non-Special Economic Zone, through various hospitals. Italian government had no Phase III comes with shopping Student-Police Cadet choice but to send the marines malls, commercial complex, The Student Police Cadet back to India on 21st March 2013 executive hotels, star hotel convention centre and a Project jointly implemented by to face trial under the Indian law.

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May 2013

Nitaqat issue
When the issue of Nitaqat came, my government wasted no time in briefing the Central government about the concerns of Malayalis in Saudi Arabia. Heeding to Kerala's request, the Centre held talks with Saudi government, following which the deadline of the Nitaqat law was extended by three months, bringing relief to Indian expats there and their families back home. A five-member Cabinet subcommittee has prepared a rehabilitation package for Keralites returning from Saudi Arabia. The Central government had accepted Kerala's request to bear the cost of flight tickets of Keralites returning from Saudi due to the Nitaqat law. Arrangement were also in place to bring back home Keralites who have no passports with them by issuing 'Permits' to return home through the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia.

will be equipped with audio testing devices and Auto Acoustic Emission machine.

Right to Health
Every person in the country should have the right to health. It is in matters of health that people are expecting assistance from governments. Even though world-class healthcare is available in Kerala, it could be accessible only to the wealthy. The governments aim is to make such care available to each and every person in the State. A scheme of Rs. 320-crore is aimed at

Hunger fee city

It is a novel scheme and department of jail supply pesticide-free fresh vegetables grown in their premises and taken care of by prisoners and used for preparing the food. The scheme was jointly implemented by departments of Social Justice and Social Security Mission. Phase I of this scheme is to benefit 2500 in-patients at the Medical College and SAT Super Specialty Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram district.

Endosulfanisnow banned in Kerala and the government came up with a comprehensive package in April 2013 for the victims of this deadly pesticide.

making available generic medicines free of cost at government hospitals, along with 12 varieties of medicines for lifestyle diseases. A portion of the money for this would come from the one Sruthi Tharangam per cent cess levied on Excise The Scheme aims at making tax. Next year, more funds would Kerala a State free of children be required. Of the 952 with disability to hear or speak. categories of medicines that Sruthi Tharangam Project is in would be distributed free of cost, the process of covering more 825 had already been supplied regions in the State. Implemented to all medical colleges in the free of cost by Department of State and to the general hospitals Social Welfare, so far 200 in Thiruvananthapuram, children, below 3 years have Ernakulam and Kozhikode. been benefited. Annually 50 operations are done in four Steps to control phases. The Scheme provides Rs. drought The state had done 5 lakh each to children undergoing surgery. As part of imminent drought control the scheme, all Medical measures as its best. The drought Colleges and District Hospitals is a warning to the State. This is

the first time the state is facing such a dire situation. Therefore, long-term drought mitigation schemes should be implemented throughout the State. Each grama panchayat in the State will be given an advance of Rs.50,000 as an emergency measure to provide drinking water in tanker lorries. The government had relaxed rules and procedures for taking up drought-relief projects. Short tenders could be invited to take up drinking water schemes. An order relaxing rules for drought-relief measures was issued on April 16. The order would be in force till 30th May. The Executive Engineers of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) had been given powers to sanction projects up to Rs.20 lakh from the current Rs.8 lakh. All ongoing drinking water projects should be completed within a year. Special schemes for providing drinking water in the worst-affected tribal area of Attappady would be executed. Steps were being taken to provide drinking water in tanker lorries in Attappady.

students with an idea that can translate them into entrepreneurs. A Start-Up Village has come up for the purpose in Kochi. Grace marks (maximum of 4%) and attendance relaxation (maximum of 20%) will be provided by Universities to student entrepreneurs who are incubated in the Start-Up Village. Only nominal rates are collecting from occupants on account of electricity, water and maintenance. No building charge is collected. The first batch undergoing business incubation at the StartUp Village would come out in 1 to 2 year's time and would walk out as full-fledged entrepreneurs and become job providers rather than jobseekers.

Employability centres
The state government will give top priority to building job skills among the youth. The first Employability Centre in the state was inaugurated at Ernakulam. The major hurdle for the unemployed, youth in the state is the lack of industry-compatible skills. The project is aimed at converting Employment Exchanges into employment generation centres. These employability centres are being established to change the face of the employment exchanges, which are institutions for registering the names of the unemployed youth, to skill development centres. During my last tenure as Chief Minister, I was surprised to hear from the heads of companies that they had difficulty in finding suitable candidates for their companies, despite the high educational qualifications of the applicants. This experience convinced me that urgent government intervention is needed to make candidates industry compatible.
May 2013

Startup villages
This scheme aims at promoting a new entrepreneurial culture in Kerala. The government is providing a facility for youths/

KERALA CALLING

OOMMEN CHANDY
CHIEF MINISTER

Kerala won first place in education, environment, Health, Poverty alleviation sectors in the surveyconductedbyCNN-IBNat the national level

Transparency Ensured

Right to Service Act implemented

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Retirement age enhanced order in the annual survey Eco tourism project at the help of Keltron to 56 conducted by India Today Ponmudi and Neyyar Archive for Malayalam Participatory pension Chief Ministers website Interpretation centre at cinemas that are landmarks scheme for those entering www.keralacm.gov.in got Thekkady with the help of in the history at Munnar service after 2013 April the webratna golden award NABARD Kairali theatre was Right to Service Act instituted by central Purakkad Gandhi Smrithi modernized. Nila, a new communication and Vananm ecotourism project theatre was added to the implemented information technology Master plan for Orchitarium complex Sea-plane project to be department at Wagamon, Idukki launched Sports Kerala won first place in Emerging Kerala conducted education, environment, Vanasree units for the A new sports development of forest policy, aimed at the in Kochi to showcause the Health, Poverty alleviation marketing allround growth of the state before the world. sectors in the survey products sports persons, was 4676 delegates from 36 conducted by CNN IBN at Elephant protection instituted. countries participated in the national level centres at Kottor and the meet. Posting through sports Got recognition from UNDP Kappukad in Trivandrum quota was made online Company formed for for transparency in Public works in the An elite training centre for Monorail in Kozhikode and governance department has been ensuring medals at Olympics Thiruvananthapuram transferred to PWD Forest & Wildlife SMILE project for creating Completed the Project Saturday has been environmental impact study Many innovative measures introduced to clear off all eminent sportsmen and women have been taken to protect and Master Plan for EPC files every week our precious forests Multisports Stadiums Tender and technical study Names of posts have been for Vizhinjam harbour World heritage status for changed to regain the Synthetic football turf at Thrissur and Thrikkarippoor Western Ghat areas which Completed. of the includes Nelliyampathy, confidence Swim and survive project for Steps taken for the Silent valley and employees. children up to 5 yr old launching of Air Kerala. Parambikkulam forests. Risk allowance of the Community sports project Kochi Metro Rail and Smart Check dams were created employees has been for increasing the physical city Project are under way. in order to protect river sanctioned ability of the public Best biodiversity award for Archery academy at Project Report prepared water Wayanad for Trivandrum-Mangalore Vanadeepthi project for periyar tiger reserve. Rail, 35th national games protecting trees that face Cinema secretariat has been Kochi-Palakkad Industrial extinction, was carried out Measures have been taken constituted successfully. corridor to prevent piracy Greenfield stadium at Skill Development Scheme Financial help for those who Cultural welfare fund board Karyvattom, Trivandrum plant trees in private land started in 37 Educational has been made more A games village at Institutions Steps to tackle global efficient Menamkulam, Trivandrum Kerala achieved first place warming E-ticketing facility was made A new sports law has been for maintaining law and Zoological park at Thrissur possible in theatres with instated.
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P.K. KUNHALIKUTTY
MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIES & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

A Vision for future

n October 2004, I happened to be in Dubai in connection with GITEX, one of the worlds biggest IT Exhibition. I got an opportunity to study closely the growth of Dubai, especially in Knowledge Industry space and was quite fascinated by its achievements. Though we had established the first IT park of India, Technopark, in Kerala way back in 1990, we could not develop the full potential in that area compared to other cities such as Bangalore, Gurgaon and Hyderabad. Infopark was at an infant stage then. I realized that Keralas future growth prospects lie in the growth of Knowledge Industries and that ideally we need a catalyst for growth, which I saw in Dubai Internet City. Some time back, in 2004 a team from Dubai Internet City had visited Kochi, but they didnt show much interest subsequently. So I decided to meet their leadership and emphasise on the prospects of Kerala. I met Dr. Omar Bin Suleiman, then CEO of Dubai Internet City and Director General of Dubai International Financial Centre and Ahmad Binbyat, Director General of Tecom Authority. I was able to wipe out every trace of negative factors in their mind about Kerala and was able to emphasize positive aspects of the state including availability of young educated
May 2013

manpower and superb social infrastructure. Dubai Internet City leaders not only agreed to consider Kerala as a potential location, but also had sent a team to Kochi soon, for evaluation. The team submitted a detailed project report for a Smart City in Kochi, in December 2004 itself. It is true that progress made regarding establishment of this dream

project was slow in last several years due to different reasons. However, during the visit of Chief Minister and other Kerala leaders including myself to Dubai, last month, we were able to emphasize the importance of this project for the Indo-UAE friendly relations. His Highness Sheik Mohammad Bin Rasheed Al Maktom, Vice President and Prime Minister of

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UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had agreed to visit Kerala for the inauguration of first phase of Smart City after about 18 months. This is a great endorsement from the highest level of Government of Dubai for the Smart City and it will definitely help the project in a big way for its realization. The newly appointed Smart City Dubai team under the leadership of Abdullatif AlMulla also is quite enthusiastic for its implementation. The Proposed visit of His Highness will also assist development of other segments of Kerala economy including industry, transport and tourism and will also attract global focus to Kerala. Smart City Kochi is a selfsustained township for knowledge-based companies and located in the city of Kochi, the commercial capital of Kerala. Project will have a significant impact on the states economy and will create vibrant knowledge economy communities which are to be anchored by leading global, regional and local names in the industry to facilitate knowledge transfer and job creation. Being owned and developed by the Government of Kerala (16%) and TECOM of Dubai (84%), Smart City Kochi will be one of Indias largest knowledge industry parks. The Smart City Director board also consists of Chief Minister of Kerala, Industries Minister, Minister in charge of Ernakulam District and Principal Secretary (IT), showing strong commitment

from the State. From TECOM, Abdullatif AlMulla, Chief Business Development Officer, Dubai Holding is the Vice Chairman of SCK and Dr. Baju George is the Managing Director. Based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village, Smart City Kochi will provide an infrastructure, environment and support systems to promote the growth of knowledge-based industry companies. It utilizes TECOMs specialised expertise,

in the creation and management of knowledge based industry clusters to create an infrastructure and environment catered to the requirements of knowledge based companies and knowledge workers.

mechanism for all requirements of knowledge companies so that companies can concentrate on their core functions and leave all procedural hurdles to Smart City. Project area is in a scenic 246 acres plot in the heart of Kochi city and just 2 Km from District Collectorate. Construction of the first block of buildings with about 15 lakh sq.ft cumulative BUA plus parking structures will commence by July 2013 and will be completed within 18-24 months thereafter. The project will have about 120 lakh sq.ft of buildup area, which will consist of highly customized office space in different knowledge clusters within IT and ITeS segments and high end social and physical infrastructure. Kochi is the

SmartCityKochiisa self-sustainedtownship forknowledge-based companiesandlocated inthecityofKochi,the commercialcapitalof Kerala.Projectwill haveasignificant impact on the states economyandwill create vibrant knowledgeeconomy communitieswhichare to be anchored by leadingglobal,regional and local names in the industry to facilitate knowledge transfer and job creation.

Apart from a state-of-the-art business-community infrastructure in four knowledge clusters - IT/ITeS, Media, Finance and Research & Innovation, Smart City Kochi will offer a host of business support services as well as residential, hospitality, retail and recreational facilities. The project has an employment generation potential of over 100,000 jobs directly and three times more indirectly. Multiplier effects are expected to bring several other benefits to the state. The project has already been approved as a Special Economic Zone by Central Government and as Industrial Township by the State Government. This will facilitate one stop shop approval

landing point for SAFE and SEME-WE3 submarine cables, enabling reliable connectivity. The project will have dependable power supply with redundancy and a high end data center. Project aims to complete construction in five and half years as against ten years allowed in the agreement. Smart City also creates a global network to assist its business partners to tap into various markets, opportunities and talent. Smart City Kochi and Smart City Malta are the first two projects being developed to be part of the global network of knowledge-based industry townships. This global network fosters productive linkages and taps into synergies between
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P K KUNHALIKUTTY
MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

EMERGINGKERALAwasconductedatKochi.This was the biggest event to attract investors to Kerala and tap its unexplored potential. Through this the state can generate more employment opportunities and become an industrial hub.

Kerala Emerges

Start up village for creating young entrepreneurs

knowledge-industry centers worldwide. This will also facilitate interaction between Kochi-Dubai-Malta-Future nodes of Smart City network, thereby adding efficiency and facilitating best utilization of talents for its companies. Project will have an excellent social infrastructure that will assist it to attract and retain knowledge workers. This will include premium and midmarket schools offering different curriculum as IB, IGCSE, ICSE and CBSE, International hospital, shopping mall, multiplex, hotels etc. Smart City is also in discussion to have an international university and allied infrastructure to foster research and development within the city. There will be luxury villas for high officials and apartments for other staff. There will also be secured residential quarters for lady staff within processing area and near office blocks. Superior social infrastructure will also reduce attrition rate. Government has already allowed a Cyber Police Station that will take care of both cyber and physical security of the development. This is in addition to internal security arrangement of Smart City. Government has decided to construct four new roads to link Smart City with different parts of city and also is considering extension of Kochi Metro to Smart City at one end and to International airport at other end. Smart City will be widening and developing two flowing rivers within the project site which will facilitate fast water transportation to different parts of the city. Smart City will also create 2.5 Km long retain spine along river banks that will be an attraction for knowledge workers. Kochi International Airport is the second busiest airport of West Coast with direct connection to Middle East, Colombo and Singapore. It is catered by ten international airlines apart from Indian operators. New York and Paris are just 18 and 11 hours away respectively. For Shopaholics,

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EMERGING KERALA was conducted at Kochi. This was the biggest event to attract investors to Kerala and tap its unexplored potential. Through this the state can generate more employment opportunities and become an industrial hub. Production started in 20 industrial projects in 2012-13 financial year with the help of KSIDC. 31 projects are in progress Integrated business hubs will start functioning in Kerala with connectivity to 5 airports in 2013-14 financial year. Life science Park in Thiruvananthapuram, Coconut Industrial park at Kuttiyadi, Electronics Hardware Park at Kochi, Supplementary Gas Infrastructure Project at Kochi etc. will be executed by KSIDC.

A global support centre for Ernst & Young will start functioning at Kinfra Film & video park Kazhakuttom, Thiruvananthapuram. 5000 young people will get employment through this.

of police department more and more efficient.

E governing system is being carried out successfully in motor vehicle department, Civil supplies department, Registration department Trade and commercial centers will etc. come into existence in The third phase development of Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Technopark is nearing completion. Kochi, and Kannur. KINFRA will provide basic infrastructure for this. The second phase development of info park is in progress Titanium sponge venture with the Master plan for Info Park was cooperation of SAIL and KMML accepted. Start up village for creating young Pavilion for smart city, the dream entrepreneurs. project of Kerala. E- district project came into Innovation zone at kochi existence in all districts. E- Procurement system made mandatory for purchase in government departments and public sector departments. Kerala is in the first place in getting people enrolled in Adhar-UID

E pass will be introduced to control the exchange and handling of minerals 10,389 small- medium scale enterprises Government files started moving in the state. started in 2012-13 financial year among faster than ever before after the GPRS will be introduced for launching of IDEAS. construction and service sectors. controlling sand mining etc. 220 enterprises started under women Crime and Criminal Tracking Network Divisional offices for waqf board in system (CCTNS) was launched as a Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur and industries scheme. pilot project for making the function Malappuram districts.
there are numerous shopping malls and other interest in Kochi and among them LuLu Mall is with the biggest with 2.5 Million sq.ft area. These and other traditional social infrastructure of the city is quite attractive for the knowledge workers and international companies. One of the most important USP for Kerala is the availability of trained and/or qualified manpower at reasonable rate. Our state is a 100% literate state with hundreds of Engineering (Annual intake 30,000 students) and other educational institutions, many technological companies are finding it quite desirable to have their future expansions in Kerala. Further Kerala IT workers who had migrated to other metros are looking forward for opportunities in Kochi so that they can return to home state. International Training facilities planned within Research and Innovation cluster of Smart City with the support of Government of Kerala and National Skill Development Corporation will assist to convert these talents to be more employable as invaluable skills. I believe in Dream Kerala and I know that future prosperity of our society is through Knowledge Industries, which is the most suitable one for Kerala environment. According to NASSCOM estimates, value of IT and other knowledge industries in India is projected to grow three times by year 2020 and to USD 300 Billion. Kerala has a legitimate claim to this growth thanks to availability of skilled manpower, provided we make available the right infrastructure as what was envisaged for Smart City. Success of Smart City model will stimulate similar development in other parts of the State for different segments and will give courage and motivation for others also to invest in Kerala. I know that gone are the days when Volkswagens of the world were scared of Kerala. So I am fully committed to see the success of Smart City and is closely evaluating the progress for our overall development.
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K M MANI
MINISTER FOR FINANCE, LAW AND HOUSING

The government is giving priority to the social welfare of the state. During this tenure, the price of the diesel and petrol skyrocketed and this government in order to curtail the price rise has cut down the state tax for petrol and diesel for four times.

Finance gets human face

he finance ministry in the last two years, under the UDF ministry, has gained a hard fought human face to otherwise would have been a drab chapter in the economy balance sheet of the state. The spent two years were waking periods of the ministry. The finance-law-housing departmentd have enabled in helping blooming the spring of development all these years. When we entered into power, the state has been faced with acute financial crisis, indebted with crores of rupees and full with as many difficult schemes waiting for execution. Even though, braving all the odds and swimming across the financial hurdles, the department at the end of its two year tenure has helped the state to stand financially sound and brought into the path of development. The government is giving priority to the social welfare of the state. During this tenure, the price of the diesel and petrol has skyrocketed and this government in

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order to curtail the price rise has cut down the state tax for petrol and diesel for four times. The tax of the manures was also lowered and the tax of Edible oil, Myda and Sooji was cut down to one percent from four percent. Amidst of all these financial difficulties, the government has been able to increase the tax revenue of the state. This was

In order to complete the cases within a maximum time span of three years, an Industrial Policy was established which was adjudged as one of the revolutionary policies. This has enabled to solve out as many cases in the 35 departments by linking it to the corresponding law officers. Legal Service authority has enabled to solve out 52,324 cases in 7305 Adalaths. In order to give free legal aid, 16 legal services clinics were started in the district head quarters and in the High court. The permanent Lok Adalat at Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam was extended to Kozhikode also. A law translation cell was also formed in order to translate done by adopting strict tax online registration of different the judgments to Malayalam. collection methods. In the year tax related documents has Based on the knowledge 2010-11, when the government delivered a speedy and management system, the act from was just throne in to the power, transparent service as promised 1950 were being digitized and the tax income was 16213.05 to the people. made accessible to the people crore and in 2011-12 it was A tax monitoring cell and through legal departments increased to 19310.54 crore. The grievance redressal cell were website. For the welfare of the net tax collection till 2012-13 formed. There has been also a advocates clerk an amendment February 28th is 20311.12 crore. plan to instate a special bench was made to instate pension for In order to speed up the exclusively to hear the revenue these people and festival procedures and in a mission to related cases. The Advocate allowance for these section was make it more transparent an e- General has been sought the made available. Toilets and other declaration was introduced in opinion in this regard. Welfare facilities at the court premises the check posts. With a string of Fund pension increased. The were improved.

novel schemes like Integrated Check Post at Amaravila (enabling Excise, Motor vehicles, sales tax departments), extension of e-payment facility, a system to check the status of returns, SMS alert system to communicate with the traders (whenever their products reaches at check post), digital signature, online delivery notes,

reformation done in the department has earned the Chief Ministers award. Video conferencing in order to interact with Prime Minister and registering complaints were started.

Extending Law help to the people

Theincomethrough lottery has touched an all time record high. In the 2010-11 financial year the income was just only 557.69 crore and in this on going year it has already crossed2750crores.A newschemeofsystem was introduced for drawing using new equipments.
Legal Literacy classes were started in schools in order spread legal awareness among the students. As part of this, Kerala Legal Services Authority has conducted a state level quiz competition and the students who have topped the list with first and second place would get a grace mark in their SSLC examination. Mobile adalath system was introduced and is travelling to the rural and hilly areas in order to give legal awareness classes and complaint redressal adalats.

Lottery
The word lottery has become a synonym of Karunya lottery. This is a treatment scheme in which the people
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monitoring cell was formed with higher level officers as its members. A monitoring committee was made in district level with District Collector as its leader. There is also a plan to install a vigilance cell by associating cyber cell experts in the lottery department.

Insurance
The End to End computerization in the Insurance department has taken place on 7th February 2013. The insurance scheme for school students was introduced. Based on the 2013-14 budget proclamation the general insurance business of Public, Quasi governmental, cooperative institutions should be done through insurance department.

Housing
With the motto to give a secure housing for every one in the state the government had implemented a Housing Policy. Sanction was given to provide housing loans to those agencies and individuals associated in the construction sector and to the formation of Housing Finance Development Corporation. The draft to form the State Housing Regulatory Authority with quasijudicial power in order to solve the problems in the sector is under consideration of the government. To form a shelter fund to help economically backward people one core rupees was made available in the 2013-14 budget. In order to

Sanction was given to provide housing loans to those agencies and individuals associated in the construction sector and to the formation of HousingFinance Development Corporation.

having income less than three lakhs would be eligible for treatment help worth two lakhs. This is for the first time that this kind of a treatment is introduced in the country. While during the last one year this treatment scheme has helped some thousand patients in their treatment spending 111 crores of rupees as part of this. Karunya Home, the accommodation facility for the poor patients and their by standers, was started.

The income through lottery has touched an all time record high. In the 2010-11 financial year the income was just only 557.69 crore and in this on going year it has already crossed 2750 crores. E governance was also introduced and a new scheme of system was introduced for drawing using new equipments. The government also had taken stringent action against the illegal lottery sale from other states and for this a state level

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transform this sector to the changing technology advancements Rs. 56 crore has been made available in the budget and Technology Innovation Fund was formed. Aiming a concrete and comprehensive development in the Environment, the government had planned a Comprehensive Housing

the construction of 8030 houses was started and 6315 have already been completed. The consent was given to construct 5407 houses included in the Suraksha Bhavana Scheme and 3344 houses were completed. The Sayoojyam Scheme envisioned for the middle class is already progressing at Kottayam and Kasargod. Government had

indirect jobs for the youth in the state. Through the mission till date 1100 entrepreneurs were identified and 430 enterprises were started. Those who have opened the new enterprises in the state belonged to the lower strata of the society. In the financial year 2013-14 the government is aiming to give 100 crore of rupees as loan and for

in the country which is giving dividend for the last three years. The institution has achieved record profit in 2011-12 and had given dividend to it customers, and the only financial institution to have published the balance sheet. KFC have also given loans for Cinema-Serial production, Theater renovation, Energy saving, Waste Management, Food security and to many other sectors. During the 60th year of KFC which is being celebrated in this current financial year, the main motto of the corporation is to implement the low interest loan scheme offered in the budget. The turn over of the Kerala State Financial Enterprises has increased to 17,314 crore and during the last 31st March it was only 14,648. This year they aim Rs.18.000 crore rupees. The amount in the Deposit scheme has also increased to 4599 from 3109 till 31st March 2011. The branches of the enterprise have also increased to 460. Steps have been progressing to start KSFE branches in almost all the Panchayath as offered in the budget. With these kinds of creative and imaginative schemes, the Finance, Law and Housing departments are once again stressing the importance of imparting welfare measures to the ordinary citizens of the state.
May 2013

Rehabilitation Scheme and a cabinet subcommittee with Finance Minister as chairman. The discussion to implement an affordable housing scheme which raises the slogan Land for every one and house for every one is in the offing. A working womens hostel with 125 beds was built in Thrissur, Pulluvazhi in a mission to provide secure accommodation for the working women. Included in the second phase, the same is being built in Kozhikode and Idukki. Included in the M N Lakshamveed colony,

written off the pending amount of Rs 137.94 crore rupees of 38384 beneficiaries in the Mythri Bhavana scheme implemented for the poorer sections in between 1996-2004.

Self Entrepreneurship Mission

Self Entrepreneurship Mission which was proclaimed in the 2011-2012 with an aim to impart a comprehensive development through industrial development has offered one lakh direct jobs and five lakh

extending the scheme and to increase the participation of the youths to the scheme the age limit has lowered from 21 to 18. Walk-in-interview has been put in place and the training period has also been lowered to 13 days. This project was done in the state by the Kerala Financial Corporation. The corporation which has got 1400 crore rupee wealth has achieved the prime status of one among the top financial institutions in the country during this period. This is the only financial institution

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K P MOHANAN
MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, PRINTING AND STATIONERY

Niravimplementedin 12 legislative constituencies. In the current financial year, it will be extended to 35 more legislative constituencies

Enhancing Agriculture

10221 tonnes of extra paddy production

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Emphasis given to enhance agriculture production. The pension to farmers with less than 2 hec. of land is enhanced to Rs. 500. 2,07,844 farmers are now receiving pension. A project of Rs. 50 crore is implemented for enhancing vegetable farming. Agro Service Centres in 35 selected blocks. Farmers Registration and e-payment facility. Constituted 61 farmers group. 3407 hec. barren land was made suitable for agriculture. 10221 tonnes of extra paddy production Nirav implemented in 12 legislative constituencies. In the current financial year, it will be extended to 35 more legislative constituencies Organic farming done in 4480 hec. land in selected 20 block areas Organic farming started in 25 selected panchayats in Kasargod district Soil-Water preservation projects at a cost of 16 crore under RIDF

1750 check dams built in Wayanad District for agricultural development. Projects for enhancing poultry farming. Implemented Farm School Projects Implemented Summer Plus Scheme 247 Field Farm Schools in 153 Blocks 5 crore rupees for Multispeciality Veterinary Complex at Kudappanakunnu 1.9 crore for Pharmaceutical Division, Palode Implemented Gosuraksha Insurance Scheme 99.75 lakhs for constructing District Veterinary Hospital at Kasargod Most Modern Four colour web offset Machines installed at government presses in Mannanthala, Shornur and Vazhur Eight Sheet Fed Offset Machines installed at government presses at Mannanthala, Poojappura Jail and Kollam Modern Digital Paper Testing machines installed

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SHIBU BABY JOHN

MINISTER FOR LABOUR AND REHABILITATION

Rehabilitation project for immigrant workers. This will be executed with the help of Construction workers WelfareFund.KeralaCompulsory registration of Migrant workers Act will come into effect this financial year.

Working places safe

Wages better

All welfare pensions increased up to Rs. 500

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Wages of nurses in the private sector have been raised. Those who work in the sunlight are allowed to take rest during the noon time. This is because of the sun burn reported due to high temperature during this time. All welfare pensions were increased up to Rs 500. All pensions distributed on time without delay. Rehabilitation project for immigrant workers. This will be executed with the help of Construction workers Welfare Fund. Kerala Compulsory registration of Migrant workers Act will come into effect this financial year. Kerala Compulsory Registration of Migrant Workers Act will come into force this year. Registration of employees and employer made compulsory. Welfare benefits are made through banks. Plantation Housing project started functioning for better living conditions of the workers in the plantation area.

Wage security project will be launched in the state soon. As part of this scheme, wage protection act will come into existence. This will ensure minimum wages for the workers. Stringent measures are taken against Nokkukooli. Labour helpline started to look into the complaints of nookukooli. The complaints through labour helpline will be settled within 24 hours. Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode districts are now Nookukooli free districts. Measures have been taken to make state ITIs to the level of international standards. For the first time in Kerala, Virtual classes have been introduced in ITIs. ISO certification for ITIs Renovation of ITIs have been done. Employment exchanges have been made employability centres. Kerala academy for skills excellence came into existence in order to make 500 skilled youths by the year 2022.

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ANOOP JACOB
MINISTER FOR FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLIES, CONSUMER PROTECTION, REGISTRATION

673 Panchayat based Vilgilance Committeeshavebeen constituted so as to make the functioning of the department more and more efficient.

Ensured food sufficient

Procurement price of paddy has been raised to 17 rupees

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57 new ration shops started functioning in the state. 5,48,506 new Ration cards distributed. Of these 37,872 were BPL. 10 kg rice at the rate 8.90 rupees per Kg & 3 Kilo wheat at the rate of 6.70 per Kg for APL card holders. 35 Kg rice at the rate of Re.1 for those under AAY. 25 Kg rice at the rate of Re.1 & 8 Kg wheat at the rate of Rs 2 per Kg for BPL card holders. 10 Kg rice on free of cost basis for those who come under the Annapoorna scheme. 673 Panchayat based Vilgilance Committees have been constituted so as to make the functioning of the department more and more efficient. 43 new Maveli Stores. 4 Supermarkets were converted into Peoples bazaar. Procurement price of paddy has been raised to 17 rupees. Stringent measures to check price rise of essential commodities. Many measures have been taken to improve the service of the registration department. To settle undervaluation cases one time settlement scheme implemented. 17 lakh undervaluation cases will get this benefit. Online facility implemented for checking the registration details of title deeds. Computerized the deed details of 20 years.

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ARYADAN MOHAMMED
MINISTER FOR POWER AND TRANSPORT

Launched 10,000 Rooftop Solar Power Plant Programme aiming generation of 10 MW power from solar energy.

Enhancing Power Generation

E payment facility at Motor Vehicle department

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ISO certification obtained for Moolamattom and Moozhiyar Generating stations. Four 110 KV substations and six 33 KV substations commissioned. Promoted 104894 numbers of service connection. Introduced online payment of Electricity bill for HT and EHT consumers. Launched SMS registration of complaints. Introduced E-tendering for all works and contracts above 25 lakhs. Compassionate grounds appointment given to 141 candidates. MoU signed with NTPC for 200 MW Windfarm at Ramakkalmedu. Introduced free supply of electricity for patients surviving on the basis of life support system. Launched 10,000 Rooftop Solar Power Plant Programme aiming generation of 10 MW power from solar energy. 6350 nos. of domestic and institutional type biogas plants of capacity 9900 m3 have been installed. 13000 nos. of improved domestic smokeless chulhas have been installed.

Five Wind Monitoring Stations established for Wind resource assessment. Energy audit made mandatory for HT / EHT for high rise buildings and apartments. Completed the APDRP projects in Thiruvananthapuram city. Measures taken to improve public transport system. Online reservation system implemented in KSRTC. The workshops, head office, depots etc. of KSRTC were computerized. KSRTC Operating Centre at Ranni. A new bus station at Kanjangad. E payment facility at Motor Vehicle department. Plan to start driver Testing tracks at all district headquarters. Portable Electronic Weighing Bridges at 19 MVD check posts. New 8 sub regional transport offices will be started.

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K C JOSEPH
MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING, CULTURE AND NORKA

The changes have been visible in every strata of development. The people have come to realize the creative efforts the government had imparted in establishing development and peace in the state. Moreover, the will of the government in executing many different developmental schemes in the state within a stipulated time frame needs worth mentioning.

Future better planned T

he UDF ministry has entered into its third year in power. In the past two years, the ministry has successfully showcased people-friendly governance to the tunes of peoples expectation. The government has enabled expanding the developmental activities across the state, we believe that more things are there which need due care and to be completed. Amidst of all this, we are much happier for the reason that we could be able to spread smiles and happiness over the life of the people. The changes have been visible in every strata of development. The people have come to realize the creative efforts the government had imparted in establishing development and peace in the state. Moreover, the will of the government in executing many different developmental schemes in the state within a stipulated time frame needs worth mentioning. In the pursuit of enabling development

in the state, the government has equally addressed the whole society and no one was omitted out from the developmental precincts. The following things are the developmental

Completed 151 roads under Prime ministers Grama Sadak Yojana

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activities that the government has employment under the scheme. started or done in the last two Apart from this the government years. also had allocated Rs 20 crore in order to distribute Onakkodi Rural Development to the women workers who Unlike the past for the last complete 100 days of work under couple of years the rural areas the scheme in the budget 2013have been witnessing sweeping 14. People have raised the changes and the fund allotted demand to increase the for the same were used fruitfully. minimum wage of the workers Kerala has got several accolades employed under this rural for the smooth conduction of the scheme to Rs 200 from Rs 164 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural and the central government had Employment Scheme in the state. already increased the wage to While, the last government has 180 rupees. spent only Rs 1497.18 crores of The government also has rupees on the same, the present government in the past two years taken up the initiative to had spent Rs 2463.14 for the complete the 151 roads under scheme. The government has Prime ministers Grama Sadak also implemented 633 lakhs of Yojana. 746 kilometer roads employment days for Rs 1048 which also include the 25 km crore in the financial year 2011- stretch in the Endosulfan 12 and 833 lakh employment days package were sanctioned on a on Rs1415.14 crore rupees on budget of Rs 460 crores. The government also was successful 2012-13. The government also has in completing 47 roads (124.22 spent Rs 10.75 crores of rupees km) on a cost of 49.88 crore in order to bear the costs of study rupees in 2011-12 and 46 roads of the workers children, (108 km) on 51.08 crore rupees. including the workers who had The construction of another 612 engaged in 100 days of km roads is underway and is

progressing on fast pace in different parts of the state. The government also has increased the cost of constructing houses under Indira Avas Yojana Scheme from 15.9.2011 by allotting 2.50 lakh to Schdeuled Tribes and 2 lakh to Scehdule Caste and other general sections. Under the Swarnajayanthi Grama Swarosnagar Scheme (SGSY), 3651 Self help groups in the state were equipped with Rs 363.22 lakh as revolving help. In the year 2011-12, 3112 self help groups and 4299 individual families were given financial aid of Rs 5232.61 lakhs of rupees from the allotted 5439.07 lakh rupees. Included in the Integrated Neerthada Management Scheme, 35 projects for 241 neerthadams were sanctioned.

that this has caused in the delay of many of the schemes were on the rise. Taking this criticism in to consideration the TAG group system was stopped and the control over the project was given to the elected representatives which has given a new dimension to the project. The government also had given sanction to the 12th five year plan with 1.02 lakhs increase. In order to monitor the yearly schemes implemented an online monitoring plan space system was introduced. In this way the yearly plans of all the departments can be analyzed online and productively monitored. A new budgeting scheme was also envisaged for Basic Facility Development scheme in the year 2013-14 in order to prevent the misuse of the project fund. District level awards were made to the local self bodies who have successfully implemented various development schemes in 2012-13. In order for a comprehensive development
May 2013

Planning
Even though a decentralized planning was implemented the power to control and implement the schemes were given to the TAG. However, the complaints

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across the state, Planning Board Perspective 2030 was given shape which is to be implemented in the selected sectors under long term development schemes. Vision Varkala 2020 was envisioned for the development of an international tourism and pilgrim centre in Varkala. For this a MoU was signed with the central government private sector institution Rinse. Rs 1.43 crore of rupees were given to the construction of Papanasam Balimandapam and Habitat technology group, Thiruvananathapuram was given the construction obligation. Rs 10 crore were sanctioned by Central Planning Commission for the construction of Centre for Performing arts at Varkala. Economic census 13 was started on 1st May 2013 to collect the statistics of all the Economy units in the state. Geo Portal system was also completed.

Ernakulam District Heritage Museum at Bastion Bunglow in Kochi, Thrissur Heritage Museum at Kollamkode House were started. The museum construction at Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode would soon start. Central government has given the sanction to turn Kalamandalam as a nodal agency and it has also got the 12 B status by UGC, which is a precious status. The stipend given to the SC and ST students were raised to Rs 1500 from Rs 750. Government has also taken over the land at Tasrack near Palakkad to construct a memoriam for the late eminent writer OV Vijayan.

Rs 5.25 lakhs was allotted to construct a memorial for Sukumar Azhikode at Thrissur and his large collection of books, his house and land were taken by the government. Steps have also been taken to construct memorials for Basheer at Kozhikode, Malabar Cultural Village and Cartoonist Sankar Memorial at Kayamkulam. Steps have also taken to construct Art galleries at different locations with the help of local self governments and Lalithakala academy. Shilpagramam was started at Kozhikode. Madhavamenon art gallery at Kodungalloor was also opened. Initiatives were taken to renovate Hill Palace

Thripponnithara at 5 crore and Pazhassiraja museum at Kozhikode. In order to facilitate the Malayalam language suiting with that of computer language an Electronic Test Composing Phonic System was also devised, and steps have been also taken to include Unicode system in Malayalam. Initiatives have also been taken to the spread of the Malayalam Mission activities. Another major important event hat had helped in uplifting the status of Malayalam language among the world languages was the successful conduction of Viswa Malayala Mahotsavam after 34 years in Thiruvananthapuram recently. Sree Narayana Studies was included in the school curriculum and the new International Study Centre at Chempazhanthy was inaugurated. 1068 artists were given Artists Pension. Steps have been taken to start Travancore Folk Village at Velavoor, Kottayam, gave shape to Mappila Kala Academy, Percussion Instrument Museum at Palakkad were other major achievements of the departments during these period. For the first time in India, Pravasi Kalaretna, Pravasi Kalasree awards were in put in place for the expat artists by Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi. Insurance and Medical claim

Culture
Many path breaking decisions were taken by the department during a short period of two years. The major achievement in this sector is that the cultural institutions in the state have full freedom to function and this has given a new direction to these organizations. As a beginning step to built Heritage Museums in all the districts, the construction of

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worth one lakh for artists, allotment of rupees one lakh subsidy for the professional amateur dramas the other achievements.

Dairy Development
Dairy development in the state has been on a path breaking way in enabling the state to achieve economic development, many projects and schemes were implemented in the sector like Milkshed development scheme in making the increase in the productivity of milk in the state, Rs 19 crore has been put in place. Subsidy for Cattle feeds to the diary farmers has extended all through the year, theena grass farming extended in 6,000 hectare, financial aid given to 8,000 farmers for Azola farming, 39 new diary clubs were started in a mission to attract more youths to this sector. In order to bring in transparency in the functioning of dairy societies, collecting milk and sale purposes automation and networking system costing Rs 3 crore were in the pipeline. As part of the National Mission protein supplement scheme the dairy societies in the Kottayam and Thrissur districts were provided with basic infrastructure like automation, bulkcooler etc. 14 crore Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana Scheme in the different districts

of the state were being implemented. The modernization of the primary dairy societies in the districts of Ernakulam, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasargod were being taken place in allotted 5 crore budget. The Milk Pasteurising Dairy plant having the capacity to pasteur milk worth one lakh litres to be constructed at Kannur was equipped with additional financial aid of Rs 7.5 from the central government.

NORKA
Expat population of the state has been playing a pivotal role in making the economy of the state steady for the last two decades. It has calculated that 50,000 crores of rupees has been sending these people to the state yearly and around 30 lakhs of Malayalis were working abroad as expats. Nitaqat law implemented in Saudi arabi has become one of the grave concerns for the expat populations there. However, the Kerala government has pleaded to the Saudi government to extend the time limit of implementing the Nitaqat. With the help of the central ministry intervening into the matter the Saudi government had extended the timelimit to three months prior implementing the law. Help desk has been opened at the three airports of the state

in Kerala for the returning expats from Saudi as part of Nitaqat and a 24 hr toll free call centre has also been enabled at Norka HQ. The details collected through this system would help in the rehabilitation activities of these people. Government has also started a survey with the help of Economic and Statistics Department from 1st May to collect the exact information of the expats working abroad from the state. Project for return emigrants would be started this year itself for those who are coming back to the country. Saphalyam Project was also implemented in helping the expats who have released from the jails of gulf countries and those who have lost the valuable documents like passports etc. A regional office of the Pravasi Kshema Board has been opened at Kozhikode. A job portal has been opened in order to attract more entrepreneurs to the state and to help the youths, aiming for jobs abroad. In order to extend the service of the department Norka roots has opened offices at Kannur, Kottayam and Thrisur districts. They have also started satellite offices at Chennai, Bangaluru, Hyderabad. A help desk also was opened at Bahrain.

Information and Public Relations

The department has been

playing a pivotal role in addressing the problems of the people and helped solving them by enabling them getting due attention. Indian Institute of Mass communication has opened a centre at Kottayam. The renovation works of Tagore Theatre to transform it with world class facilities were also started. Through the Integrated News Grid Scheme in order to provide web based news distribution the recruitment of human power to run the project also was started. Steps have been taken to start video networking at the district centres and steps also have taken to implement State Information Hub. The pension of the journalists has been increased to Rs 7000 from Rs 4000. Chief Ministers Mass grievance redressal programme, Sutharya Keralam was resumed with a fresh style from 2011. Digital archiving of the newspapers has also been started. The government for the past two years has enabled to bring developments in all sectors of the state. The will for establishing developments and executing it within a stipulated time frame has made this possible. But, this is not sufficient as we need to travel miles and miles from here on to bring more and more development in to the state and for this mission we can work together.
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P K ABDU RABB
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION

A plus

AdditionalSkillAcquisition Project has been implemented in selected collegesandschoolsin order to make the students proficient in another subject aswell.

SSLC result published in record time

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Another centre of the famed English and Foreign Language University, Hyderabad will start functioning from this year onwards. A Technical University has come into existence. Posting for 183 non teaching staff as part of a package. Text books reached the schools much earlier than the beginning of the new academic year. 528 additional batches were allotted to the higher secondary section during the academic year 2011-12. Wages of the pre primary teachers have been raised. Additional Skill Acquisition Project has been implemented in selected colleges and schools in order to make the students proficient in another subject as well.

Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University came into existence. A dream, seemed to be long distant, was realized at last.

Free uniform distribution and lunch for students of A.L.P section in government schools Prof. P.A.J Lebba commission has been instituted for the study of higher secondary education. Evening courses started in 23 polytechnic colleges. New courses have been allowed in government Arts & Science Colleges. 55 new courses have been allotted. Measures have been taken to further development of the basic infrastructure of higher secondary schools. SSLC result was published in record time. Measures have been taken to implement Prof. Jayaraj commission for the skill development of students deserving special consideration. All India Council for Technical education Zonal Office Started in Trivandrum for the development in the field of Engineering education.

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33

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The National Honey and Mango Festival 2013

Organised by the Department of Agriculture in association with the State Horticulture Mission and Horticorp at the Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds, Thiruvananthapuram. Photographs by

I & PRD

May 2013

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THIRUVANCHOOR RADHAKRISHNAN
MINISTER FOR HOME AND VIGILANCE

Computer based digitalized set up has been implemented in 100 police stations for making crime detection more fruitful and efficient Decision has been taken to start the State Industrial Security Force which is modelledonCISF

Policing People Friendly

Help desks for women for listening to the problems faced by them
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Help desks for women for listening to the problems faced by them Commissionarate set up in Trivandrum & Kochi cities in accordance with the Mega city plan 381 new recruits have been inducted into the force for the last two years Sanction was given for starting new police stations at Aruvikkara, Marad, Kochi, Ayiroor, Infopark, Marayamuttom, Kadampuzha, Pookkottu Padam and Kaladikkodu Thunder Bolts, the commando wing of the force came into existence Computer based digitalized set up has been implemented in 100 police stations for making crime detection more fruitful and efficient State disaster management force came into existence. This includes 300 trained personnel for managing and handling any disaster at any time Student Police Cadet Project is another feather in the cap of Kerala Police Canteen facility for police personnel has been started in all districts Promotion for employees in the lower grade. This will benefit 2500 lower grade employees Petitions to the police to be received online 10 additional police stations will start functioning for the protection of coastal areas 403 new vehicles will be added to the already well- equipped vehicular fleet of the force Decision has been taken to start the State Industrial Security Force which is modeled on CISF 100 speed checking cameras have been

installed along the highways for the strict vigilance of traffic violations A toll free number has come into existence for the public to inform complaints to the vigilance department. Decision has been taken for the functioning of the fire rescue force in a more efficient manner than ever before. Sanction has been given to start new stations Measures are in full swing for developing Viyyur Fire and Rescue Services academy to the level of international standards Motor cycle with water mist system started functioning Various development activities are being implemented in the jail department on a larger scale. Development activities consisting of more than Rs.154 crore are being implemented. Decision has been taken to set up a high security jail for housing extremists& terrorists. This is being built at Viyyur Chappathi making by the jail department has been hailed as great success. This is a great social service allowing people to have their lunch or snacks at the lowest price. A parcel of 5 chappathis and chicken curry costs Rs. 30 and that with vegetable curry costs Rs. 20 Many measures are taken for the welfare of the prisoners. This includes TV set, FM radio, public address system, computer labs etc. Three crore rupees has been spent for library facility and job training A solar energy plant was commissioned in Thiruvananthapuram central jail
May 2013

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ADOOR PRAKASH
MINISTER FOR REVENUE AND COIR

Zero Landless Kerala project has been declared. 3 cents of land will be allotted to the landless people in Kerala before August 15th 2015.

Zero Landless

Budget share of the coir sector has been raised

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department in key positions. Zero Landless Kerala project has been declared. 3 cents of land will be allotted Measures were taken to ensure the to the landless people in Kerala before purity of gold and its proper billing. August 15th 2015. Measures were taken to start Tanker E- district project is being carried out lorry calibration unit, training centre at successfully through Common Service Konni. Centres(C.S.C) Budget share of the coir sector has been 14 villages will selected as smart raised. villages. This will be a pilot project in order to make the services from village Wages of the workers reated to coir sector has been increased. offices more and more efficient.

Pre- revenue survey Adalaths were convened by the Revenue Minister itself.

Working capital limit of the co-operative societies has been raised to Rs 7.5 lakh from Rs 5 lakh.

Land tax revenue has been at its zenith Measures have been taken to strengthen husk procurement. Incentives for this during the reign of this government. have been raised. Each panchayth will have each village. PPSS was launched. This idea has been accepted. In line with this, preparations are going on to Welfare fund pension of the coir workers create 30 new village offices in the has been raised to Rs 500. state. Coir Kerala 2013 was conducted to Fund has been earmarked in the 2013 promote coir products both in domestic budget for the creation of 12 new and international markets. Taluks in the state. Cooperative societies in the primary Mullaperiyar Crisis Management Plan level can also export coir items. (MCMP) has been prepared with a view International share of the public sector of handling the crisis posed by enterprises such as coir corporation and Mullaperiyar Dam. coirfed has been raised to Rs.4 crore. Revenue land information system has Distribution of coir geo-textiles has been been introduced at Alathur strengthened. Vadakkanchery sub registrar offices with the help of revenue-registration Basic amenities for women workers has departments. It is a pilot project. been improved. Kerala Legal Metrology (enforcement) Modern complex for de fibering mill. rule came into existence on August 17 Permanent solution for coirfed economic 2012. crisis. Workshops were conducted in Diversification of coir products. For this Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and many workshops were conducted. Kozhikode for the employees of the department on Legal Metrology Act An international exhibition cum sales 2009, Rules 2012 etc. centre will be constituted at Alleppy on permanent basis. 15 new posts were created in the
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P J JOSEPH
MINISTER FOR WATER RESOURCES

Rural drinking water projects have been successfully implemented. In addition to the regular 145 crore rupees fund from Central government, this year an addition 100 crore rupees has been received.

Protecting Water resources

Measures have been taken for the project one pond in one Panchayat
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Drinking water distribution has been improved to a large extent for the last two years. Cherthali and Kannur projects have been commissioned. Trivandrum, and Kozhikode projects will be commissioned this year itself. Rural drinking water projects have been successfully implemented. In addition to the regular 145 crore rupees fund from Central government, this year an addition 100 crore rupees has been received. Second phase of the Jala Nidhi project, with the aid of World Bank, started. Measures have been taken to spread rain water harvest. 3000 rain water harvesting containers are being built in 6 selected panchayaths. Small scale drinking water projects were started using ground water in selected places. Projects for constructing check dams in order to preserve the running water. Measures have been taken for the project one pond in one Panchayat. Administrative sanction for constructing dams at Bhavani river at Attappadi and Pambar river at Pattichery. Keralas arguments have gained strength in issues with Tamilnadu such as Mullaperiyar, Neyyar, Aliyar, Parambikkulam, Achankovil-Vaippar etc. The idea of new dam at Mullaperiyar was brought to the notice of the Supreme Court. The construction of the national waterway is in full swing. It will be completed by the end of this year.

May 2013

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A P ANILKUMAR
MINISTER FOR WELFARE OF SCHEDULED CASTES & BACKWARD CLASSES AND TOURISM

AnewModernMedicalCollege at Palakkad under the ScheduledCasteDevelopment Department. It is the first of its kind in the country.The college will start functioning in 201415.

Kerala Tourism

Prime Destination

Free cycles distributed to 51965 studens during 2011-12

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A new Modern Medical College at Palakkad under the Scheduled Caste Development Department. It is the first of its kind in the country. The college will start functioning in 2014-15. The financial aid for SC families to buy land doubled. Those eligible will get Rs. 1,50,000 in rural areas, Rs.1,75,000 in Municipalities and Rs. 2 lakhs in Corporation areas. The housing aid to homeless SC families enhanced from 1 lakh to 2 lakhs. Rs. 25000 for constructing toilets to 25000 families, 3.22 core rupees subsidy were given to 5341 SC youth for self employment. Dairy unit, Ice-cream vending and Plant nursery were included under self employment schemes. Special Scholarship and Text Book grant for SC students. 120% increase in lump sum grant, stipend, pocket money, mess fee etc. The mess fee of students in prematric hostel enhanced to Rs.1750 and those in Post-matric hostel is enhanced to Rs. 2000. Under Vision 2013, 704 students are undergoing training. Free cycles distributed to 51965 studens during 2011-12. Homoeo Health Centres started at 29 places. New Model Residential School in

Self sufficient village project started in order to change the living standards of schedule castes.

Kuzhalmandham. Backward Development Corporation constituted. Pre-matric Scholarship to OBC students. Rs.21125 crore income from tourism sector. Sea Plane Project becomes a reality. In the first phase, the service will be made available at Kollam, Astamudi, Thannermukkam, Bolgatti and Kottappuram. Comprehensive Tourism Policy formed. Kerala Tourism gets two dozen prizes within two years. Conducted Tube Campaign at London. Ayurveda Campaign at Germany in order t promote Kerala as Home of Ayurveda. A mega road show conducted at Saudi Arabia in order to attract Middle East. Kerala tourism become number one in google search. First phase of Comprehensive heritage tourism project completed. Administrative sanction for building new guest houses at Ponmudi, Kannur, Sultanbathery, Kasargod, Munnar and Kozhikod. Commercial and Entertainment Centre at Vellar. No Bakel Project Implemented for attracting international tour operators. Extension of Responsible tourism project to more centres.
May 2013

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K BABU
MINISTER FOR FISHERIES, PORTS AND EXCISE

Strengthened the campaign against Alcoholism by joining hands with Kudumbasree, NationalServiceScheme, Student Police Cadet and Residents' Associations.

Now, socially responsible

Model fisheries village scheme launched

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May 2013

Strengthened the campaign against Alcoholism by joining hands with Kudumbasree, National Service Scheme, Student Police Cadet and Residents' Associations. Announced the Abkari Policy with a view to reduce consumption of liquor. Help desks have been started in the Excise Headquarters and all the District Head Offices to redress public grievances. 700 Anti-liquor Clubs started in Schools. New scheme to give financial assistance to Governmental and Non-governmental de-addiction centres. A Crime Records Bureau started in the Excise Headquarters. Sanctioned one Mobile Liquor Testing Laboratory at Thiruvananthapuram. Integrated Check post started at Amaravila. New building complex for State Excise Academy and Research Centre at Thrissur inaugurated. Integrated fisheries village scheme launched. Model fisheries village scheme launched. Matsya samridhi was successfully carried out in 887 selected Panchayths. Preparations for starting fish

Changed the Excise Department from an income earning department to a socially responsible one.

markets with modern amenities. Thanal Scheme, to help fishermen in times of scarcity of income , was introduced. Bio- metric card system for all fishermen introduced. Saving Scheme for all fishermen to get them benefited from it during times of scarcity was introduced. Housing scheme for fishermen was introduced. 800 people have been benefited from this so far. Arrears have been cleared on welfare pensions. Modern facilities for fishing in the deep waters have been introduced. Aquarium at Neyyar dam re-opened Kerosene permit for 22,663 engines has been advised. Kerosene will be distributed through civil supplies corporation. 90%Fishing vessel registration has been achieved. Various development schemes in harbour engineering. Master plan for Kannur Airport approved. Preparations are going on for implementing Vizhinjam International Harbour Project. Study on environmental issues while implementing the proposed harbour scheme. Facilities for Indian navy and coast guard in the proposed Vizhinjam harbour. Vizhinjam will be a suitable harbour for T.E.U mother vessels.

May 2013

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C N BALAKRISHNAN
MINISTER FOR CO-OPERATION KHADI AND VILLAGE INDUSTRIES AND POLLUTION CONTROL

Ashwas 2012 was introduced to recover loans. As per this scheme 1,99,561,16 lakh rupees havebeenrecovered.Moreover a concession of Rs. 5348.38 have been given to debtors.

Everything for People

2039 new Nanma Stores started

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Co-operative laws amended totally. Headquarters for co-operative department. 7th cooperative congress and co opertative expo was conducted at Thrissur in 2012. Ashwas 2012 was introduced to recover loans. As per this scheme 1,99,561,16 lakh rupees have been recovered. Moreover a concession of Rs. 5348.38 have been given to debtors. Interest free loan scheme was sanctioned. The limit for Risk fund scheme, to write off the loans of the deceased persons has been raised to 1 lakhs from 1 lakh. Stringent measures to check market price rice. During Festival seasons like Onam, X-Mas, Bakrid and Ramzan, Consumerfed successfully intervened in the market to control the possible price hike by selling the essential commodities. 2039 New Nanma Stores started. 54 new Neethi Stores and 12 Triveni stores started. Triveni Mineral Water introduced. The courses such as Electronics & Communication, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics, Civil Engineering started at Pathanapuram Engineering college under CAPE. Quality Improvement programme in the 5 colleges under CAPE. 2 crore rupees sanctioned for starting Institute of Nephrology & Urological Science at Pariyaram Medical college. Wonderful gain in the field of deposits. A sum of rupees 5194.36 crore have been collected through the latest deposit collection drive. Kerala Deposits Security Fund Board has been constituted. Scheme for generating job opportunities in Khadi sector. New 4737 job opportunities generated. SILK unit at Palakkad. 65 job opportunities will be created when the unit start functioning

May 2013

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V K EBRAHIM KUNJU
MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS

Roads toward World class

Mono rail project will be introduced in TrivandrumandKozhikodeCorporations in order to avoid traffic congestions. Monorail corporation is constituted. Kozhikod monorail is expected to cost 1990crorerupeesasperDMRCreport. The project report of Thiruvananthapuram Monorail has been completed.

Modernised the PWD manual which was published in 1972

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Most of the roads in the state were repaired and roads are in good condition now. 2403 crore rupees for KSTP second phase. 1000 km Road heavy maintenance will be conducted. The tender process of the three roads under this scheme were completed. Mono rail project will be introduced in Trivandrum and Kozhikode Corporations in order to avoid traffic congestions. Monorail corporation is constituted. Kozhikod monorail is expected to cost 1990 crore rupees as per DMRC report. The project report of Thiruvananthapuram Monorail has been completed. Road Infrastructure Company of Kerala for road development. Urban Road development project which is going on in Thiruvananthapuram under BOT annuity condition will be extended to Calicut and Kochi. Plan for the development of village roads. The roads under LSGD were enhanced to Major district roads. 8570 Km roads have been enhanced to Major district roads. Transparent and efficient e- tendering and epayment system. Green building policy in construction sector in order to solve energy crisis. Coastal corridor from Vallarpadam Container Terminal to Kozhikode via Ponnani. The project costs 1327 crore rupees. Bypass roads are nearing completion. Tenders invited for Kollam and Alapuzha bypasses. Repairs of the roads to Sabarimala were completed in record time. 59.46 crore rupees for heavy maintenance at Sabarimala. Modernised the PWD manual which was published in 1972. Record gain in spending plan fund.

May 2013

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P K JAYALEKSHMI
MINISTER FOR WELFARE OF SCHEDULED TRIBES, YOUTH AFFAIRS, MUSEUM & ZOOS

StateYouth policy declared. Policy gives special thrust to development of the State throughYouth development.

Packages for under privileged

Laptops for Professional College students

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Six Mobile Units for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Infrastructure Projects for Electricity, Drinking water, Soil Conservation worth Rs.34.52 crores for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Identity cards for Scheduled Tribe families. This ID card is a unique certificate and valid document for all Official and other purposes. 1189 new houses for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Five Model Colonies for Scheduled Tribes at Kuriyottumala in Kollam, Chalakkayam in Pathanamthitta, Kunhome in Mananthavady Taluk, Vakeri in Sultabathery Taluk and Karapuzha (Paroorkunnu) in Vythiri Taluk. Laptops for Professional College students. Bicycles to Girl Students. Rehabilitation Programme for Sickle cell anemia patients. Special package programme worth Rs.10.35 crore for comprehensive development of

Special package to the tune of Rs.148 crores for improving the living standards of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.

Idamalakkudy Tribal Panchayath in Idukki district. State Youth policy declared. Policy gives special thrust to development of the State through Youth development. Keralotsawam conducted. Youth Award for the best individual youth social worker and youth organization distributed. Five day National integration camp Jagaran Bharat organized. National Tribal Festival ' Gothrayanam' organized in Wayanad district. Three day State level Young women's workshop conducted. Youth literary camp organized at Thiruvananthapuram. Five day camp for drama and theatre were organized in all districts and a state level camp organized in Thiruvananthapuram. KCS Panicker Gallery renovated to international standards. Introduced non-polluting battery operated vehicle in the Thiruvananthapuram zoo campus. 500 books digitized through high quality scanned images. Entrance hall of Natural History museum revamped in traditional architecture.

May 2013

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Dr. M K MUNEER
MINISTER FOR PANCHAYAT AND SOCIAL WELFARE

Thalolam scheme implemented for children infected with cerebral palsy, heart problems, kindney disorders, nervous disorders, haemophilia, Thalismia,SickleCellAnaemiaetc. 5000 children got benefited from this.

Panchayats Strengthened

Model Anganwadis in all assembly constituencies

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Gramayathra conducted in order to strengthen grama sabhas. Created 978 Assistant Secretary Posts, Clerical Posts in Panchayaths. Created 400 new Assistant Engineer Posts in LSGD Engineering Division. The honorarium for elected representatives of Panchayaths enhanced to Rs. 1000. An increase of Rs. 1000 was also announced in the current year. Free Sim card to the Presidents, Vice Presidents and Secretaries of LSG Institutions. A new research centre, South Asian School of Local Governance started at KILA. International Meet on Decentralisation conducted at KILA. State Biodiversity Register is under preparation. More than 500 Panchayaths had already prepared the register. Kalagramam will be formed at every panchayaths in order to enhance and preserve our folklore arts and culture. Nirbhaya scheme for the protection of women and children. Nirbhaya Shelter home started at Thiruvananthapuram. Gender Parks planned at Malappuram, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram districts. Regional Centre for Physically Handicapped and Research proposed. Model Anganwadis in all assembly constituencies. 450 anganwadis will be renovated and remodelled with the help of NABARD. It is proposed to renovate

and remodel 5 Anganwadis in each assembly constituency. Early detection and prevention of disability will be implemented in District Hospitals. Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Welfare Fund Board constituted. Families of 66,000 Anganwadi workers and helpers will get benefited. She-toilets in busy cities and towns. 23 she-toilets started functioning in Thiruvananthapuram. 200 cochlear implantation surgery under the scheme Sruthi Tharangam. 200 more surgeries will be done in 2013. Aswasa Kiranam project will be extended to the whole state. At present 40,000 people get the benefit of this scheme. Thalolam scheme implemented for children infected with cerebral palsy, heart problems, kindney disorders, nervous disorders, haemophilia, Thalismia, Sickle Cell Anaemia etc. 5000 children got benefited from this. 22,500 new Ayalkoottams formed. Rs. 559.98 crore rupees given as loan to new 30,020 Ayalkoottams under Bank Linkage Campaign. 17 buds schools for mentally retarded children. Vehicles allotted to 33 buds schools. Buds-Ajeevika project started. Plan to start 978 Farmers Facilitation Centres. Nirbhaya Balaparliaments conducted at 700 LSGIs. Crime Mapping Process finished in 10 panchayaths with the active participation of people.

May 2013

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MANJALAMKUZHI ALI
MINISTER FOR URBAN AFFAIRS AND WELFARE OF MINORITIES

Solid waste treatment plants with modern technologies will be installed in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, KochiandKozhikodCorporations, Kottayam and Kannur Municipalities underPPPMode

Urbans become more urban

Kerala Waste Management Company in the model of SIAL formed

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Municipal Building Act Amended in order to benefit the public. Sustainable Urban development projects in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Thrissur and Kozhikod with an ADB aid of Rs. 1522 crore. Development Master Plan for urban development. The master plan of 32 corporations have been completed. Rajiv Awas Yojana Project will be implemented. Solid waste treatment plants with modern technologies will be installed in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi and Kozhikod Corporations, Kottayam and Kannur Municipalities under PPP Mode. Small scale waste treatment plants with a capacity of 25 to 35 tonnes, Plastic Shredding Units etc. will be installed in municipalities under KSUDP. Kerala Waste Management Company in the model of SIAL formed. In order to equip the students and candidates under the minority community for competitive examinations, coaching centres started in all districts. The welfare fund pension scheme of Madrassa teachers made interestfree. 10,000 Madrassa teachers already registered under this scheme. Minority promoters appointed in all panchayaths. Proposed to start State Minority Commission having the right of civil courts. 2.5 lakh rupees financial aid to minority women self help groups. Study tables and chairs distributed to economically backward minority students.

May 2013

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V S SIVAKUMAR
MINISTER FOR HEALTH, FAMILY WELFARE AND DEVASWOM

Supplying generic medicine free of cost for all patients that seek treatment at government hospitals regardless of APL/BPLdifference.Thisisbeing carried out by Kerala Medical Services Corporationsuccessfully.

Health Care with a vision

E-health programme introduced

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Unique health policy and mental health policy for the state for the first time, in the history of Kerala, is in progress. Eight new medical colleges are about to start in the government sector. Supplying generic medicine free of cost for all patients that seek treatment at government hospitals regardless of APL/BPL difference. This is being carried out by Kerala Medical Services Corporation successfully. Karunya Pharmacies have been instituted for helping patients to have medicines at the lowest price. People get 20 to 90% discount on medicines through these pharmacies. 216 new posts for doctors in the general category have been created. 30 posts have been created in the specialist category. J.S.S.K project has been introduced. This is to ensure free treatment for mother and baby. Delivery and the protection of the baby for 30 days will be on free of charge. New born screening system for early detection of genetic disorders such as autism, retardation, epilepsy etc. New born babies treatment centres in 59 selected government hospitals.

School Health Project is going on successfully in 13,270 schools. This will benefit 48 lakh students. Iron folic acid nutritional scheme launched. Disha exam helpline facility (24 hrs) started in order to reduce stress and anxiety among students during exam period. Amrutham Arogyam project for challenging life-style diseases. Palliative Care system is now available in all Taluk hospitals. More dialysis units have been instituted in government hospitals. Cancer treatment facility in all districts. Public health laboratories in all PHCs 108 ambulance facility in all districts. General hospital Ernakulam gets NABH accreditation for the first time India. NABH accreditation for Thycaud Women and Child Hospital. This is the first of its kind in India. Accreditation for Cherathala Taluk Hospital (NABH). This is the first of its kind in India Kerala Accreditation standards for Hospitals (KASH) scheme is being

implemented in all government hospitals in a phased manner. This is to ensure best treatment for all patients. Arogya adalaths were held to address the issues of the public relating to health care system. A clinical establishment bill is under preparation for controlling the functioning of the private labs. This is to ensure error free report from those labs. E-health programme introduced. Panmasala and ghutka has been banned. Measures have been taken to popularize homeopathic treatment. 25 crore rupees for Sabarimala Master plan and 5 crore rupees for Zero Waste Sabarimala has been allotted in the latest budget. Cleansed Pampa and Sannidhanam area. 67 crore rupees for renovating the roads connected to Sabarimala. 1.10 crore rupees allocated for Police Mess. Safe Zone Project for Motor Vehicle Department implemented. Security measures tightened by installing modern amenities.

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Strategy for a sustained growth

Extracts from the draft report of the Kerala Perspective Plan 2030

he Kerala Perspective Plan is a State Planning Board initiative that will serve as the basis for implementation of a series of initiatives aimed at fostering sustained growth of economy over the next 20 years. The Perspective Plan of Kerala 2030 is a strategic articulation of its development, vision, mission, goals, and objectives and a high level strategy to achieve them. It specifies an action plan around the framework of resources, competencies and capacities. It identifies critical challenges; provides a strategic framework for suitable and inclusive growth drawing on international experiences; sets developed country benchmarks for Kerala; examines the best regional and international practices and provides the rationale for development planning and resource requirement. The plan will be implemented through the next four Plans starting from the 2012-2016 Plan.
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The Vision
It is envisaged that Kerala will be a globally-oriented knowledge hub, in the distinguished league of the worlds leading knowledge hubs. It will be a prosperous, dynamic, knowledgedriven, competitive and eco-efficient economy in the distinguished league of the worlds advanced economies with a spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, tolerance and diversity.

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ii. With structural growth rates of The Mission is to achieve Sustainable Economic a. 2% in Agriculture Prosperity. Quality is not enough- b. 9% in Manufacturing quality matters is the mission c. 9% in Construction statement. Sustainable Prosperity d. 7.5% in Communication means the prosperity for the e. 10% in Education and Health sectors present without compromising iii. Brand Kerala as a global the prosperity of future education and health hub. generations. Four dimensions of iv. Increase the share of this prosperity are: education and health Economic prosperity sectors in GDP to 10% . Health security for all With the aim of achieving v the high income status vi. Reduction in equivalent to Nordic countries a. Unemployment rate to 4% (Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and b. Gini Coefficient to 23% Norway) by 2040, Kerala will c. Poverty rate to 1% achieve the standards of a high vii. Increasing high standards of living with focus on the middle income by 2030. growth of smart urban and Human prosperity rural areas. Quality of life will be shaped viii. Upgrade ecosystems, by access to, and quality and biodiversity, resources, affordability of services namely through sustainable health, education, and effective production systems and and clean governance. consumption. ix. Protect wetland Social prosperity x. Conserve the World Heritage Equal opportunity for every bio-diversity of Western Ghats person residing in Kerala xi. 20% increase in energy and irrespective of gender, water use efficiency. caste and origin for The New intellectual, personal and Development Strategy professional growth.

The Mission

ThePerspectivePlanofKerala2030isa strategic articulation of its development, vision, mission, goals, and objectives and a high level strategy to achieve them. It specifies an action plan around the framework of resources, competencies and capacities. It identifies critical challenges; provides a strategic framework for suitableandinclusivegrowthdrawingon international experiences; sets developed countrybenchmarksforKerala
push the economy to the virtuous circle of knowledge- driven sustainable development process. There are 4 pillars for the new development strategy. Building human capacity to meet the demands of a knowledge society through knowledge creation and dissemination in the context of a developing country region. Creating conducive business environment for utilising knowledge Integrating social development dimensions Enhancing natural capital. A leapfrogging is essential for transformation which is the first principle adopted when formulating the perspective plan. The new strategy proposed here is based on the systems approach to planning. This approach would require coordinated efforts of all the government departments, production systems, communities, NGOs and people to achieve certain goals. Implementation of this plan requires a bottom up approach with local governments playing a key role in grass-root planning and its implementation.

Vision 2030
Some of the major sectoral perspective plans present in this section are:

Education
Kerala will be a node to global knowledge network by 2030. It will accomplish distinctive expertise in education. The goals are 100% enrolment in primary schools 95% of all young people shall complete general or vocational upper secondary education by 2015. 50% of all young people shall complete a higher education programme by 2015.
May 2013

Green prosperity
Preserve the natural wealth of Kerala for future generations. The major goals are: i. Achieve annual per capita income of USD 36,000 by 2040 from the current USD 4700.

The New development strategy proposed for Kerala is a knowledge-driven Sustainable Development Strategy. It will integrate the principles of social justice and environmental protection such that the social and environment capital complement physical capital to

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Aperspective plan for long-term development

State Planning Board Member G. Vijayaraghavan spoke to KeralaCallingonVision2030.Excerpts
Is the Perspective Plan 2030 going to be a Unique one, what is the difference between this and a Vision Document?
A vision document is something similar to what our former Rastrapathi Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam presented in the Assembly. It is more than a presentation in terms of a broad direction. But a perspective plan is something which goes more into detail on what the state should be doing by examining the various scenarios. Neither Government of India nor any other State government has ventured on such an exercise. Vision documents are there. But a perspective plan is one which focuses on individual sectors and which discusses what can be done, what are the problems that we face etc. It is actually a document which discusses the key areas that the state needs to focus on and that to over a very long period. It is because of this the Chief Minister talked about building a consensus on the Plan. The consensus once arrived at would mean that irrespective of which party is in power, this plan will get followed. Because one thing is very clear, the People of Kerala need to know in which direction we are going and what we need to do and this is the way that we would like to go forward.

What prompted State planning Board to prepare a document for Vision 2030?
The State Planning Board was asked by our honourable Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to prepare a document for longterm development. The Planning Board has

Kerala will account for 50% of Indias export in education service by 2030.

Health
Our state has already built the foundation for accessibility to health care for all citizens at the time of formation of the present Kerala state on November 1, 1956. Despite intensive efforts by the state, some challenges are remaining; related to health status, health infrastructure and health financing. The goals are: Increase the health expenditure to GSDP ratio from 0.6% in 2012 to 4-5% by 2027-31. Eradication of communicable diseases. Increase the number of hospital beds to 24/10,000 population, and the number of nurses to 60/10,000 population and the number of doctors to 10/10,000 population by 2030. Set up the medical cities by 2030. Achieve at least 50% share

of medical tourism in India. information and thereby widening access of that Information Technology information to people in a Kerala has made transparent manner. tremendous progress in infusing ICT in its society and economy. It Agriculture A new paradigm has is one of the leaders in spread of tele density, internet, especially emerged that recognizes role in broadband and computers. In the agricultures knowledge economy of Kerala, development in the emerging of sustainable digital technologies and context information will combine to development even while its drive productivity and create overall contribution to GDP new growth opportunities across declines. This paradigm requires the whole economy. It will traditional agriculture to catapult Kerala to the big league transform rapidly into a modern by enabling digitalization of sector through the adoption of science-based technology and

entrepreneurial approach. There will be a paradigm shift from subsistence farming to knowledge intensive competitive agriculture which will bring prosperity not only for this generation but also future generations. The young generation will take pride and dignity in agriculture as an occupation.

Industry
Industrial development activities in Kerala started as early as in the middle of the 19th Century. During the decade of 1934 ti11 1948 several industries

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decided to prepare a Perspective Plan for 2030. We are working very closely with the National Council of Applied Economic Research, New Delhi to prepare this. This has been going for more than a year now with various consultations with experts at National level, State level and there have been various focus group discussions. Based on which a broad draft has now been prepared. This draft document was initially presented to the cabinet, based on there inputs some changes has been done. Then it was presented to the MLAs, then the youth. The presentation to the Youth was important mainly because the Plan covers a period when todays youth will be in positions of power of decision making.

positions. So it is necessary to consult them as you prepare for 2030. And as part of that there were meeting with the youth. Mainly Students of Economics from various colleges in Kerala. We have held discussions with them and their feedback has been taken into account. Similarly the draft will be circulated among all stakeholders. Based on their feedback, the final report would be put up for discussion on the website for public access. Everybodys comments will be taken into account. This will also be discussed with party leaders and final document will be prepared.

construction, you find that the state has been stagnating. This is not a good in the long term. What it indirectly means is that if something happens in the areas from where we are getting our remittances, the state will be getting into a very serious situation. This has to be addressed immediately

Is this problem addressed in this vision document

Yes. There are various scenarios which have been looked. The main three scenarios which are discussed in this document are: Growth after assuming that Banking, Communication Growth rates will be the same as the national average; Growth rates in banking, communication and construction; Growth after decline in remittances.

This is the first time that the youth are involved in a long term policy matter discussion. Why so?
This is because of the clear cut vision of our Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. One of the things that came up in the discussion with the Chief Minister is that, when such an exercise is done, when we talk about a Vision Document of 2030, we are talking of a period when the present youth will be in important

Which are the major challenges in the growth sector?

There are macro level as well as socioeconomic challenges, our State is facing. Till 1986, the rate of growth in our social indices was good. But our economic growth was not okay. From 1986 onwards we have seen economic growth however there have been challenges in maintaining our progress on the social side. When one studies the growth it is sad to see that if you remove the growth due to remittances and the growth due to remittances, tourism and

Which are the other factors that we need to address?

The other factors are Unemployment, Inequity, Poverty, Social Challenges such as gender issues, social exclusion and Alcoholism, and Human Development and Demographic Challenges etc. Keeping all this in mind, the vision document is prepared.

were established in Travancore Socially and environmentally and Cochin areas. Currently, the sustainable. The goals are: industrial sector is characterised Increase the share of by several challenges, such as manufacturing from current low share of industry in GSDP, low 8% to 10% of GSDP by 2030. quality industrial growth due to Shift in the structure of a rather small share of industry from resourcemanufacturing, low sided driven in favour of composition of industries etc. efficiency- driven over the next 20 years and then to The Vision efficiency-driven by 2030. Establish Kerala as one of The share of registered the most attractive locations for sector in total business investments in Asia. manufacturing will rise to Kerala will develop the 20%. industrial sector that is Adoption of clean dominated by high value added production systems. activities, Innovation-driven and

Tourism
Tourism is a significant and vital industry to Kerala. It has great strategic importance for the Kerala economy due to its capacity for wealth-generation and job-creation. It is one of the growth driving sectors where Kerala has clear competitive advantages. The vision is to introduce newer products for leisure tourism, such as Tourism tied to handloom villages, Cashew investment zones, coir investment zones

Cruise tourism, hydrotourism Annual International Indian and Carnatic Music Festival in Thrissur Tribal Village tourism in Wayanad Adventure tourism of international standards. The report comprises of three volumes. The first part, as described above dealt with an overview of the characteristics of the Kerala economy; analyses its growth patterns from 1956 onwards; identifies issues and challenges and benchmarks the state with comparable countries and regions. Volume II deals with the sectoral perspective plans with situational analyses, diagnostics, regional and international benchmarking, projections for future growth, detailed strategies, its impact on the economy and resource requirements. Volume III describes the key elements of the new strategy that will realize the vision for Kerala, drawing on the discussions provided in the above two volumes.

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R VENUGOPAL

Karunya

Benevolence Incredible I
was a villain on the silver screen for so many years. But a rather powerful villain hit me down about one year ago and I fell down. I was about to die. I realized the fag end of my life- my friends, the real relatives, the hard realities and so forth. But unbelievably, I managed to subdue my enemy within. I returned to life. The enemy was none, but the

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and the essential will power. I killed the cancer who came to kill me with these three forces. In fact, Kollam Thulasi who hails from the lucrative film industry and drawing a handsome pension himself found it difficult to meet the mammoth treatment expenses. Thus he approached the Lottery department for financial assistance from Karunya. If this is the case of a well-to-do gentleman, the poor and underprivileged would be in more trouble. Now 10,307 beneficiaries of Karunya Benevolent Fund share more or less the same sort dreaded cancer. Now I am scot Mani and senior journalists. The of consolation Kollam Thulasi free in the medical check-up last function was organised by the enjoyed. Rs. 111 crores has week even though I suffer from Kesary Memorial Journalist Trust already reached the poor people other supplementary ailments. with the support of State Lotteries in this regard. This is a healing Kollam Thulasi, the film doyen Department on the Expansion figure as far as the poor is of Malayalam revealed his fatal and Promotion of Karunya concerned for no other option life-story before an audience last Benevolent Scheme. is open to them otherwise in such month in the capital city. He He said: Nobody needs a scale. looks quite ok and spoke scared of cancer if one accrues Karunya is in fact a novel eloquently. He spent nearly five the support of Karunya, the treat- scheme to support the needy hours in the seminar attended ment of RCC (Regional Cancer irrespective of APL, BPL by the Finance Minister K.M Centre, Thiruvananthapuram) difference. It is a flagship welfare

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Karunya, the brainchild of Finance MinisterKMManiwas announced by him in his budget speech in 2011-12. His devotion to Karunya was obvious in the interaction with senior journalists. He had accepted almost all the major recommendations related to the scheme at once. As the department achieve new heights in revenue, the poor will also benefit vide Karunya in years to come.

the department has registered a record sale of Rs. 2779 cr., Rs. 1015 cr. has been given back to the people as prize money. Agents and sellers were benefited with an almost equal share of Rs. 904 cr. vide commission and discount. Net profit of Rs. 776 cr went to the exchequer benefitting the overall development of the state. It is also note-worthy that the department, reaching all-time high is on the threshold of modernization. The draw, now being taken manually will be done using specially designed machine soon. The trial and error test, public and media interface and liaison with trade union representatives were all carried out. The government has accorded administrative sanction for the draw machine. The payments by the agents in the district lottery offices are to be done through State Bank. This is supposed to be a hallmark achievement enhancing the efficacy of district offices as well as reducing the work load.

scheme of the UDF government. The government has initiated Karunya weekly lottery through the State Lottery Department and the entire profit has been earmarked for treatment assistance. A separate wing Karunya Benevolent Fund (KBF) has started on 26th February 2012 under the department. So far the department has conducted 84 draws of Karunya lottery striking a grand collection of Rs. 694 cr and net profit of Rs. 154 cr. No other state is known to have derived such a benevolent scheme utilizing lotteries. The scheme is applicable to all who draws an annual income below three lakhs of rupees. The only document the patient or relative has to produce is his/her ration card supporting the claim of income. No other agency, state government or non government sector offers so liberal aid for medical treatment at par with Karunya. The only other criterion

is the respective doctors authentication of treatment. The patient is eligible for treatment in all Medical Colleges, District and other hospitals in the government sector as well as 48 accredited hospitals in the nongovernment sector. The coverage includes treatment for heart, liver, kidney, lung diseases, cancer and hemophilia. It is also applicable to emergency surgeries, organ transplantation and peritoneal dialysis. Recently, the Finance Minister announced coverage for applicants applying within 48 hrs of emergency surgeries and hemophilia to all ailing members of a family (In other cases, the coverage is limited to the family). In addition, the government has decided to start Karunya Dialysis Centres in Alappuzha, Kottayam and Thrissur Medical Colleges. The centres in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode Medical Colleges are nearing completion. Each unit is given Rs. 2.9cr and comprises of

10 dialysis machines. Also, the Medical Services Corporation is entrusted with the task of supplying medicine and other equipments to the needy. An array of advertisements cast by mainstream film actors free of cost helped Karunya to become popular. This year is all time remarkable in the annals of State Lotteries not only with its unique brand of benevolence but also with the record revenue and other welfare measures. While

Karunya, the brain-child of Finance Minister KM Mani was announced by him in his budget speech in 2011-12. His devotion to Karunya was obvious in the interaction with senior journalists. He had accepted almost all the major recommendations related to the scheme at once. As the department achieve new heights in revenue, the poor will also benefit vide Karunya in years to come.
The writer is Publicity Officer, Kerala State Lotteries
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B G SREEDEVI

he traffic scenario in most of the cities of Kerala are getting worse day by day due to the unprecedented explosion in the number of personal vehicles, inadequate road width, lack of parking space other societal activities on the road sides and unplanned urban land use development that has happened in the past. The cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikod has reached the limit and cannot go forward without immediate intervention regarding the traffic management and infrastructure development. All the adjacent

Studies have reported that Bus Rapid system is ideal for mass transport for PHPDT less than 6000 only. Monorail is the recommendedoptionuptoPHPDTof16,000 for a life cycle cost per seat. Metro is the best optionofPHPDTofmorethan20,000. The traffic studies carried out has identified the corridor fromTechnocity (Pallipuram) to Neyyattinkara along NH 66 as the corridor needing a mass transport system immediately.

medium and small towns along the National Highways and State Highways are also facing the same situation. Thiruvananthapuram, the 2nd largest city of the State, has to accommodate substantial floating population. The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has an area of

214.86 sq.km with a population of 9.6 lakhs (2011 census) plus. The only mode of public transportation, now available in the city is bus services, owned by Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private operators. The National Highway 66 (previously NH 47) crosses the

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Table 1
Vettu road Chittazha Karakulam Kachani (MC Road) No.of Vehicles per day 37599 13844 18269 3629 PCU per day 41819 15998 16949 4803 Kundamon Mangattu Nemom Mukkola kadavu Kadavu 20379 11248 19984 18998 19403 8525 24066 20658

city in the North South direction with a length of 80 Km in the district. The National highway byepass originally planned from Kazhakkuttam to Kaliyikkavila for a length of 43 Kms stopped at Kovalam in the 1st phase and the 2nd phase is yet to be started. The state Highway 1 also named as Main Central Road (MC Road) which ends at Angamally and the Kollam Shenkotta Road (upgraded to NH) also serves the city. The City Road Improvement Project (CRIP) phase I which envisaged 42.58 km of road widening is in the last stages of completion. The components coming under this project are widening, strengthening and geometric improvements of 13 corridors, 4 additional links, improvement of 65 junctions, construction of two

flyovers, 5 minor bridges, one under pass, widening of Pettah ROB and provision of road side appurtenances, signs and marking for all the above roads. This project could have eased the traffic congestion in spite of the vehicle growth. But the lack of parking spaces which was not envisaged originally is demanding uncontrollable roadside parking which in turn has reduced the capacity of the roads. Identical situation exists in other cities also. The Central Railway station has 5 platforms and handles more than 70,000 passengers a day with more than 100 trains (including 30 goods trains). The International Airport operates daily flights to all important places including Gulf countries in addition to domestic flights.

These facilities also add to the traffic in the city. The peak hour traffic along the busy National Highway stretch inside the city has crossed 7,000 in 2012 which is projected to 14,000 in the year 2041. As per the studies, the peak hour traffic in PCU/hr for the year 2012 is 3,341 for Kesavadasapuram - Ulloor, 2,468 for Ulloor Sreekariyam and 2,524 for Sreekariyam Kazhakkoottam stretches which warrants four lane capacity at present. The total number of vehicles having valid registration in the district as on 31.03.2010 is 7,21,769 with more than 50% of two-wheelers. The traffic of the outer cordon points of the city as on 2011 is shown in Table 1.

Uder the circumstances, mass transportation system has to be implemented for our cities at the earliest. Public Transport occupies less road space and causes less pollution per passenger than personal vehicles. Hence this is more sustainable form of transport. All state capitals as well as other cities with a population of more than one million to start with should be planned for high capacity public transport systems. Various proven technologies around the world should be looked at. The technology should best suit the city requirements for a minimum of 30 years. There is a need for establishing quality focused multi-modal public transport systems that are well integrated,

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The available options for transit system include

Heavy Rail Transit system is

a system using rails of high performance, electrically powered rail cars operating in exclusive rights-of-way, usually without grade crossings. Metro is the most common international term for Heavy Rail Transit. This system is the most expensive form of MRT, but has the highest capacity.

A utomated

Guideway Transit is any guided transit

providing seamless travel across modes.

In the present day context,however, public transport serves another social purpose. It helps reduce congestion and air pollution, if users of personal vehicles can be persuaded to shift to public transport. Their needs are, however, forimproved quality and not so much for low fares. It is therefore, necessary to think of different types of public transport servicesfor different segments ofcommuters.
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Quality and pricing of Public Transport

So far, fares for public transport have been set on the premises that, this mode of travel is used by the poor, who have no other means of meeting their travel needs. As such, fares have been kept low as a measure of social equity. This has resulted in most public transport systems being unable to recover their operating costs. It has, in fact, encouraged poorly operated systems that have been financially sustainable only through serious compromises on the quality of the service they render. In the present day context, however, public transport serves another social purpose. It helps reduce congestion and air pollution, if users of personal vehicles can be persuaded to shift to public transport. Their needs are, however, for improved quality and not so much for low fares. It is therefore, necessary to think of different types of public transport services for different segments of commuters.

Technologies for Public Transport

There is a wide spectrum of public transport technologies. At

one end is high capacity, but high cost technologies like underground metro systems and at the other are low capacity bus systems running on a shared right of way. Within these extremes are a range of intermediate possibilities, such as buses on dedicated rights of way, elevated sky bus and monorail systems, electric trolley buses etc. While some of them are most effective over high density trunk corridors, others prove useful as feeder systems or subsystems that serve limited sub areas within a city. Similarly, there are examples of available waterways being taken advantage of public transport and also systems like ropeways that suit hilly terrains. While the high capacity rail systems and buses on shared rights of way are the only ones tried out in India, several of the others have proved successful in other parts of the world. Electric trolley buses have been running in San Francisco. New Bus Rapid Transit systems (BRTS) have become very popular in cities like Bogota (Colombia) and Curritiba (Brazil). Each of these technologies has its unique characteristics and is best suited to a specific

situation. Factors such as the urban form, terrain, availability of waterways, level of demand, direction and extent of sprawl, projections for future growth, extent of population density etc. are major determinants of the technology that should be chosen. While rail-based systems seem to suit dense cities with limited sprawl and only a few spinal corridors, bus systems seem better where urban densities are lower and the city has spread over a large area. Given the wide range of possibilities, it is not possible to prescribe a particular technology in a generic policy and such a choice will have to be made as a part of city specific land use and transport plans. It would also depend on the kind of city that would need to evolve at the particular location. Several Mass Transit options are available that include both the rail and bus system. There is no single right or wrong technology since much depends on the local circumstances. The factors affecting technology choice include capital costs (infrastructure and land costs), operational costs, design and implementation considerations, performance and economic, social and environmental impacts. The advantages and disadvantages of some of the available public transport technologies also indicating the technologies that best suit

mode with fully automated operation (i.e., no drivers); however, the term usually is applied to systems employing vehicle technologies other than those used for conventional rail systems. onorail (MRL) is guided transit mode with vehicles riding on or suspended from a single rail, beam, or tube. It is high quality, ultramodern and passenger-oriented mass transit system that delivers fast, comfortable, economical and ecofriendly mobility to urban dwellers.

Vehicles may employ steel wheel or rubber tire support.

Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a rail transit

technology capable of providing a broad range of passenger capacities. It is most commonly referred to as streetcars or trolleys. Rail is a mode of transportation that is based on operating passenger trains on the tracks of the general railroad system, which is shared with freight trains.

rapid transit systems is broadly categorized as Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT. BRT is a bus operation generally characterized by use of exclusive or reserved rights-of-way (busways) that permit higher speeds and avoidance of delays from general traffic flows. aglev (derived from magnetic levitation), is a system of transportation that uses magnetic levitation to suspend, guide and propel vehicles from magnets rather than using mechanical methods, such as wheels, axles and bearings.

C ommuter

BRT: The bus technology family for

different local situations. Studies have reported that Bus Rapid system is ideal for mass transport for PHPDT less than 6000 only. Monorail is the recommended option up to PHPDT of 16,000 for a life cycle cost per seat. Metro is the best option of PHPDT of more than 20,000. The traffic studies carried out has identified the corridor from Technocity (Pallipuram) to Neyyattinkara along NH 66 as the corridor needing a mass transport system immediately. A monorail system which can accommodate sharp curves up to 60 m radius and gradient upto 6% which can meet the ridership requirement has been found to be suitable for Thiruvananthapuram.

Each of these technologies has its unique characteristics and is best suited to a specific situation. Factors such as the urban form, terrain, availability of waterways, level of demand, direction and extent of sprawl, projections for future growth, extent of population density etc. are major determinants of the technology that should be chosen.

Pallipuram, Kaniyapuram, , Kazhakootam Jn, Kariyavattom, Gurumandiram, Pangappara, Sreekariyam, Pongumoodu, Ulloor, Kesavadasapuram, Pattom, As per the Detailed Project Plamoodu, Palayam, Secretariat, Report, the first phase of the Thampanoor, Killipalam and project covers a distance of Karamana. Land acquisition for the 22.48 kms with 19 stations starting from Technocity to Karamana. monorail system is minimum The stations are Technocity, (only in stations and depots) and

is around Rs. 479 crores including the land value, compensation of buildings and depot land (30 acres). For the full length of the monorail corridor, alignment formation is estimated to Rs.1168 crores. Based on the Mumbai monorail project, each station building is estimated to Rs. 8.26 crores. For the 35 stations, the cost is estimated to Rs.289 crores.

For traction and power supply, the rate per kilometer is estimated at Rs.9 crores and the total cost estimated for this component is Rs.377 crores. In the case of signaling and telecommunications, the estimated cost is Rs. 7.31 crores per kilometer, which indicates the cost of signalling and telecommunication at Rs. 305 crores for the complete project. Provision for costs for switches and crossings, miscellaneous utilities, road works, civil works not considered above and for providing feeder service is given as lump sum of RS.300 crores. In addition, design charges are provided with 5% of the estimated cost of the project, but excluding land value and compensation for buildings. Another 5% is provided for contingency expenses. Taxes and duties are also added at 20% of the cost. With all the above components, the total cost of the project is estimated as Rs. 5099 crores, with Rs. 2775 crores in Phase I and Rs. 2324 crores in Phase II. The cost works out to Rs. 125 cr. per kilometer for the phase I and Rs. 118.7 crores per kilometer for phase II. It is expected that Phase I of the project can be completed in 5 years time including the four laning of the Kazhakkuttam Kesavadasapuram road. Even before Phase I is completed, extension of Phase II can be considered.
The writer is Director, NATPAC
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KIRAN RAM

Steps Fruitful

definitely effect the life of the people. The first order given in the book is about the hike effected in the annual income from 20,000 to one lakh for getting financial benefits from the Chief Ministers relief fund. The Chief Minister can also sanction amount up to 10,000 for treatment in special cases. Amount up to one lakh is allotted by the Chief Minister in cases of death due to disaster. Amount exceeding one lakh will be allotted with the approval of the cabinet. The modifications In the orders came to effect from 11th of April 2012. This order benefits more people from getting financial assistance of Govt. Though the Govt. has issued orders during 2008, sanctioning pension to widows having matured son, under BPL category, it did not work accordingly resulting in delay and denial. The complaints were many that received during the mass contact programme, regarding the non receipt of pension. Thus the Govt. has further clarified in a circular about the right of the widows under BPL on getting pension. It also warns the officials from denying pension to the eligible. Inhabitants, in buildings, which fall under the shadow of doubt of being built by violating the rules, cannot be denied the right to vote. They need proper documents to include their names in the voters list, and to get new ration cards. The dead lock was cleared by the Govt. by entitling local self governments to issue temporary building permits in such cases. It is applicable to completed buildings, with an area up to 300 square feet only. The G.O also ensures action against illegal construction, on finding it in detailed enquiry.

ime and tide waits for no man. A stitch in time saves nine. Such dictums indicates that timely action and decision have its importance. Jana pakshachuvadukal (steps for peoples welfare) published by Information and Public relations Dept., a collection of governement orders, is not just a book of collected records. But it reflects the soul and will of a govt. The book also reflects the perseverance taken, some times by burning the midnight oil, and the keen interest in going through the miseries and agonies of even destitute. Changing the conventional parameters of development such as bridges, roads and multi crore projects, it also reveals how the decisions of the Govt could untie the red tape of the bureaucracy from either denying or lagging the time with lame excuses. The mass contact programmes conducted by Chief Minister OOmmenChandy received wide applause. The way he went through the realities and life of the people, hearing them, by ignoring food and sleep, astonished every one. The programme conducted in 14 Districts, was a home work for the Chief Minister and other ministers who accompanied. Those experiences resulted in the form of new orders and amendments of existing orders which would

Changing the conventional parameters of development such as bridges, roads and multi crore projects, it also reveals how the decisions of the Govt could untie the red tape of the bureaucracy from either denying or lagging the time with lame excuses.
In cases in which death occur at a place other than the native place, it can be registered in the native panchayat or corporation. Orders issued in this regard entitles Registrar of birth and death to issue death certificates after receiving proper documents from the place of death. The following are some of the other important orders included. Guide lines authorising head masters of aided primary and high schools to draw

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salary bills without counter signature. Incorporating rules by including dependent widowed daughters , divorced daughters (till re marriage or death), disabled sons/daughters in the list of kerala freedom fighters continuous pension. Revision in quantum of assistance under the santhwana scheme introduced through Norka department providing help to the pravasis. Sanctioning grant for eligible law graduates belonging to backward classes, for starting practice as advocates. Order entitling District collectors as authority to issue BPL ration card. Free supply of electricity for patients, surviving on the basis of life support system. Facilitate government buildings for the smooth entry of handicapped persons. permanent travel pass for handicapped in KSRTC buses. Condonation of delay in submitting application for financial assistance in family benefit scheme. Decision to conduct survey adalats in villages to settle long pending issues. And Hiking bonus from rupees 350 to 1000 per hectare to paddy farmers. The orders issued recently by the govt. in respect of the victims of endosulphan is a paradigm of its humane face. Inclusion of 1318 patients in the list for financial assistance and other facilities and sanctioning rupees 3 lakhs to victims of endosulphan, suffer due to cancer are among the orders issued. The book that carries 43 such orders is helpful for social activists and political workers in guiding and helping the needy. The lame excuses of bureaucrats, the delay in sanctioning assistances can be questioned easily as the details are readily available in this book. The book published by the publication wing of I&PRD has more significance in the light of the Right to service act. The book is available at district information offices, and at the office of the Deputy Director, publication wing, Secretariat Annex, I&PRD.

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