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Political differences should not impede growth: Bhatia

Special Correspondent

"Kerala on the path of growth despite various challenges"

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Governor R.L. Bhatia has called upon those concerned to take a pledge not to allow political differences to come in the way of development as Kerala is now favourably poised, as never before, to realise its true potential.

In his Address to the Assembly on Friday, Mr. Bhatia said the task ahead was full of challenges. But he was confident that for the greater good of Kerala, for making the dreams of the Keralites come true, for doing justice to the faith and trust reposed by the people, a unity of purpose for development would emerge out of political diversity.

Once it happened, there would be no looking back on Kerala's march towards development.

He contended that the initiatives taken by the Government in various fields had placed the State on a firm trajectory of development and growth.

The Opposition described the 50-minute speech as the most insipid and uninspiring Governor's Address in recent times, which left several crucial issues of the State untouched and gave only a partial picture of the situation in various sectors of the economy.

As it was the last Governor's Address of the present regime and the next election to the Assembly was just a few months away, the Government was expected to pack it with fireworks. Though it did not happen, the Address contained a modest number of new announcements and promises.

These included the Governor's disclosure that the Centre's clearance had been received for the development of three product-specific special economic zones. They consisted of an animation and gaming industry at Kazhakuttam in Thiruvananthapuram, electronics at Kalamassery in Ernakulam and food processing at Kakkancherry in Malappuram.

The proposed Smart City, a 300-acre self-contained IT and an ITES township in partnership with the Dubai Internet City, was expected to provide direct employment to 33,000 persons.

Akshaya, the ambitious project to bridge the digital divide, was being implemented in seven more districts and would be extended to the remaining six districts during the coming year. The Government's ambitious plan was to make the State fully networked by 2007.

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