The Hindu : Kerala News : State's economy looking up: Antony

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 29, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

State's economy looking up: Antony

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 28. The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, told the Assembly on Monday that the Government had succeeded in improving the financial position of the State.

Replying to a debate on the demand for grants for Heads of States, Ministers and Headquarters Staff, the Chief Minister recalled that the State was in a financial crisis when the United Democratic Front (UDF) Government had assumed office. The situation had changed now. The economy had revived with increase in prices of all agricultural commodities. The growth rate, which was 2.6 per cent in 2001, had jumped to 7.2 per cent.

"We have led Kerala on the path of development during the past three years," he asserted.

Referring to the UDF debacle in the Lok Sabha polls, Mr. Antony said no Government could win elections on account of economic progress alone. There were several reasons for the defeat of the UDF. The Government was addressing the issue by changing its policies and style of functioning. It understood the dissatisfaction of the people and all suggestions for improvement of the functioning of the Government would be considered.

He warned the Opposition against interfering in the internal affairs of the Congress. Responding to the Opposition's criticism about the Government not leading a joint delegation to the Centre to lobby for the State's needs, the Chief Minister said an all-party delegation could go to Delhi the next time. The Government would be synchronising its policies with the Common Minimum Programme of the United Progressive Alliance, he added.

He said that Kerala had become the leading State in the country in the tourism sector. It was implementing a programme for modernisation of Government that would be a model for other States. The starting of self-financing colleges in the State had led to a drop in capitation fee charged by colleges in neighbouring States. The Government proposed to improve the facilities in Government colleges in the coming days.

After the Chief Minister's reply, the House voted the demand, for Rs. 193.83 crores, by 78 votes to 37.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala