Kerala chief minister Pinarayi VijayanRoads are widening, infrastructure is developing and people are happier, says chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the eve of the Left Democratic Front government's first anniversary. The chief minister talks to Onmanorama on how the government had made a turnaround.
What kind of a government did you inherit a year ago?
Everybody knows that everything was in disorder when the Left Democratic Front government took charge. The media is witness to the happenings in the last year of the United Democratic Front government. The cases that came up before the high court and the court orders also confirm that. The government was neck-deep in corruption. I do not have to list out everything.
Solar and land allotment scams were brought out by the media. Not a single department was free from corruption.
Nobody was interested in listening to people’s problems. Pension dues to the poor had mounted for months. Students had not received school textbooks even after the academic year came to a close. There were news reports of students taking photocopies of the textbook to study.
Not a single industry was started in the public sector or private sector. Public sector industries nosedived to losses. Not a single important IT company was brought to the SmartCity Kochi. Everybody knows how the Kannur airport and Kochi Metro were inaugurated. Both the projects were completed during the term of this government.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan with opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, former chief minister Oommen Chandy and IUML leader M.K. Muneer. File photoLaw and order was also in tatters. Communal forces and criminal gangs had a free run in many parts of the state. The police relied on third-degree torture rather than relying on scientific methods in case investigation. The police committed serious lapses in the sensational Jisha murder case.
The fireworks tragedy at the Puttingal temple near Kollam was the result of a breakdown in administrative machinery. The district magistrate had denied permission for the fireworks still the police allowed the organizers to go ahead with the celebration. More than 100 people were burnt to death. Many more were injured. This tragedy could have been avoided had the government and the police went by the rules.
What have you done to improve the performance of the government?
The LDF government’s first move was to ensure that administration followed rules and regulations. We took a strong stand against corruption. The Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau was freed. There is no political interference in its working. The LDF faced the election by presenting a manifesto before the people. The government is trying to implement those promises. Textbooks have reached the schools. The pension dues had been paid completely. The pension amount has been increased from Rs 600 to Rs 1,100. Industries are nearing profitability. Peaceful conditions are prevailing in Kerala. Law and order have improved. Case investigation has been made scientific. Third-degree torture has been stopped. The policemen still employing torture methods will face stern action. Change is visible in all sectors.
What are the future plans?
The government lays emphasis on infrastructure development. Infrastructure is essential for the development of industries and the improvement of tourism. The government is moving forward with land acquisition and related activities ahead of widening the national highway between Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram to 45 meters. People are cooperating. They have confidence in the government. The government is taking into confidence the people who have lost their houses or establishments. Sufficient compensation will be provided before their land is taken over. Nobody will end up in the street.
This government has revived the GAIL natural gas pipeline project. The pipe-laying is progressing fast. The pipes have to be laid over 503 kilometers. We only have to take over land in 50 kilometers now. The government has increased the compensation for the land. The project will be completed in 2018. The government’s determination is also evident in the Kochi Metro, Kannur airport, Vizhinjam international port and coastal highway.
We have a plan to provide 1 lakh square feet of area for IT development over five years. As much as 17 lakh square feet of area has been provided in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode IT parks since the government came to power. The Kozhikode IT park will be inaugurated on May 29. The government has done its part for the SmartCity. By 2021, 66 lakh square feet of area will be available there.
What have you done to ensure the smooth movement of files in government offices?
The movement of files in all departments in the secretariat has been made through the ‘e-office’. People could experience the benefit of the project within three months. Anyone can locate a file online using the file number. E-filing will be expanded to the district collectorates this year. This will be implemented in the offices of the department heads too. Even the applications to the chief minister’s relief fund are being processed electronically. By June, we expect to take a decision on an application within 48 hours.
