By IANS,
Thiruvananthapuram : Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan criticised the central government’s economic and globalisation policies in his Independence Day speech here Saturday while highlighting his Left government’s achievements in the state.
“The decision to go ahead with the policies of globalisation and liberalisation has affected many and the recent signing of the ASEAN trade pact is going to be detrimental to the interest of the farmers. When such pacts are signed it should be discussed in the parliament and with state governments. This trade pact will badly affect the farmers in the state, who, through our policies, have got some relief,” Achuthanandan said.
He also said that the proposed Food Security Act, if implemented, could mean that close to five million people, who are currently in the above poverty line category, would not be eligible to avail of ration facilities.
“Likewise, the prime minister assured us that we would be given 100,000 tonnes of rice during the Onam season, but the agriculture minister has now said we will get only 15,000 tonnes,” he said.
While detailing the achievements of the state government led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in the last three years, Achuthanandan said that while prices of essential commodities had gone up, close to 26 lakh (2.6 million) families in Kerala were given rice or wheat at Rs.2 per kg.
“During the Onam season (in the first week of September), we will give free Onam kit to 25 lakh families. We aim to achieve a production of 10 lakh tonnes in the next two years and also achieve self-sufficiency in vegetable and egg production,” he said.
He added that the state’s tourism industry has been growing consistently at 15 percent in the last three years.
“Since the last three years, 53 new IT companies have opened up and investments made in the IT infrastructure has gone up five times. Likewise, by 2011, we will ensure that all homes in the state would be electrified,” said Achuthanandan.
The chief minister also said that the long-standing dream of a Hill Highway would soon materialise apart from the proposed international container port at Vizhinjam.
While Achuthanandan addressed the Independence Day celebrations at the state capital, his cabinet colleagues took the salute at parades held at the other 13 district headquarters.