The Hindu : Kerala News : Wait for 100 days before criticising: Chandy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 11, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Wait for 100 days before criticising: Chandy

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, SEPT. 10. The Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, requested his critics to wait for the next 100 days for evaluating the performance of the Government.

"Everyone has the right to criticise. However, they should wait for the next 100 days. If the Government fails to perform, then they can criticise us," Mr. Chandy told media persons here today.

Mr. Chandy was reacting to the CPI (M) State secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan's statement that the 100-day projects announced by the State Government was a farce and an eyewash.

Asked about the former KPCC president, K. Muraleedharan's statement that the `I' faction would adopt a `wait-and-watch' policy for finalising its approach towards the Government, Mr. Chandy said he had sought the cooperation of all sections including those who made this statement.

"We have not promised to create wonders within 100 days. We are also aware of our limitations. However, we will try to address the issues of the State within this time-frame," he said.

Officials' meet convened

The Chief Minister said the State Government had decided to convene a meeting of the officials concerned on September 14 to discuss the closure order slapped on a large number of industrial units by the State Pollution Control Board.

The Government would look into all aspects of the issue and would try to avert the closure of the units. No workers would lose their jobs, he said.

UDF unity

Reacting to a question on the accusations levelled by some of the UDF constituents against each other on the issue of dropping a few Ministers from the State Cabinet, Mr. Chandy said the UDF would remain united.

Mr. Chandy ruled out the possibility of a discussion on the proposed bus fare hike as the sub-committee constituted for this had already submitted its report.

Earlier, addressing the Congress workers who had gathered to greet him, Mr. Chandy listed a series of mass contact programmes aimed at "reducing the distance between the Ministers and party workers". The "distance between the Ministers and Congress workers who strived hard to form the Government should be reduced. So is the case with the Government and the Opposition," Mr. Chandy explained.

All the Congress Ministers, including the Chief Minister, would be present at the KPCC office once in a month to interact with the Congress workers. The date of such meetings would be finalised in consultation with the KPCC president, he said.

The Chief Minister also launched the first face-to-face programme with the party workers at the DCC office.

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

Kerala