By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : The Left Democratic Front government in Kerala Wednesday announced a few sops for the state on the eve of its second anniversary.
“This includes a loan waiver of up to Rs.25,000 for nearly 41,000 farmers in Wayanad district, and free text books for all schoolchildren up to Class 8,” Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told reporters here.
“We will lay the foundation stone for a new international convention centre here, two fishing harbours and also two educational institutions of higher learning, including the Space Institute, during the month-long celebrations on account of the second anniversary,” he said.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Democratic Front government assumed office May 18, 2006 after a thumping victory, winning 99 of the 140 seats in tyhe state legislative assembly.
On the anniversary, the government will start giving identity cards to the nearly two million non-resident Keralites who are considered the backbone of the state’s economy and contribute close to Rs.200 billion annually.
The government will also launch the programme of taking IT development to all districts of the state.
“Have you all forgotten the Smart City project that Oommen Chandy had envisaged where no other IT parks would be allowed in Ernakulam district once Smart City is cleared? Our policies are different,” Achuthanandan said.
Asked about the problems plaguing his government, the chief minister said: “You are asking this question to justify your assessment on what you have written.”
“The sadness of the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front is understandable. They are going to express their sadness when we celebrate the second anniversary,” he said.