The Hindu : Kerala News : Chief Minister owes explanation: CPI(M)

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Monday, Jan 31, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Chief Minister owes explanation: CPI(M)

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN. 30. The CPI(M) State secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan, has said that the State Government's failure to submit proposals for inclusion in the Union Budget showed that there was no governance worth the name in Kerala.

In a statement here today, Mr. Vijayan said the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, should explain to the people why the Government had not submitted to the Centre project proposals that could be included in the Union Budget for 2004-'05. The State Government had not got back to the Centre despite the latter repeatedly asking for information on matters that Kerala wished to be considered when preparing the Union Budget, he pointed out.

Deviation from practice

The Chandy Government, he recalled, had earlier deviated from the practice of State Governments submitting memoranda regarding their demands at the time of change of Government at the Centre. It should have taken advantage of the favourable situation at the Centre to get the new Government to accept Kerala's long-standing demand for increase of Central industrial investment in the State, enhancement of the State's share in Central tax revenue and amendment of the norms for providing calamity relief. Its failure to take up with the Central Government the State's demands would cost Kerala dear, the CPI(M) leader said.

He said it would be of no use if the State were to submit its proposals now. The people were watching the laxity of the Government in performing such vital functions and they are certain to take note of the anarchy that has crept into the sphere of governance in the State, Mr. Vijayan added.

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