The Hindu : Front Page : Poverty alleviation project yet to take off

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 13, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Poverty alleviation project yet to take off

N.J. Nair

Government may not be able to launch it before term ends

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State is likely to forfeit Rs.100 crores sanctioned by the Centre for implementing a development and poverty alleviation project that will have set in motion implementation of some of the recommendations of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

The Union Government and the Planning Commission had approved the project as part of the larger Vision 2010 project submitted by the State Government and had agreed to provide a financial assistance of Rs.200 crores. The initial component of Rs.50 crores was sanctioned immediately. Another Rs. 50 crores was to be released in phases on completion of individual projects and submission of a declaration thereof to the Centre.

The project was supposed to be launched by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his proposed visit to the State. Since it has been put off for the time being, the fate of the project too remains uncertain.

Even if an official announcement is made soon, the Government will not be left with much time before its term ends. This is because the model code of conduct is expected to come into force by April in advance of the Assembly elections.

As per the suggestions of Dr. Kalam, five task forces were set up for knowledge development, knowledge products, agriculture, tourism and waterways and poverty alleviation and traditional industries.

A special cell was formed at the Planning Board and Principal Secretaries were directed to head the task forces.

A meeting of Principal Secretaries heading the task forces was held in December, which fine-tuned and approved the project. It was subsequently sent to the Cabinet, which, in turn, gave its nod as well.

The thrust of the poverty alleviation project was on upgrading the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), networking of panchayats, improving the sewerage system and holistic solid-waste management. The project was expected to give a major boost to the Government's intentions of being seen as major initiator of development activities.

Given the liberal Central assistance, implementation too will not have been a major hassle. Repeated reversals that the ruling UDF suffered at the local bodies polls and in the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha byelection are being cited as the factors that forced the Government to go slow on the project. The political leadership is not keen on going ahead now, since the benefits will be reaped by the successor Government, sources said.

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