Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan on Tuesday said the people of Kerala were concerned over the strife in West Asia as nearly 8 per cent of the State's population was employed there.

Delivering the 60th Independence Day speech here, Mr. Achuthanandan urged the people to condemn imperialist forces and terrorist elements responsible for the "attacks, threats and bloodshed" in the region.

On the crisis in the agriculture sector, the Chief Minister said financial and administrative measures were under way to help debt-ridden farmers.

The Government wrote off the debts of 1,500 farmers who committed suicide after suffering heavy losses following a price crash. It declared a one-year moratorium on loan repayments.

The Government still could not claim that suicides stopped completely.

There was a feeling (among farmers) that the future was bleak. "I am giving the farmers an assurance. Your future will not be dark," Mr. Achuthanandan said.

The Government stopped the exploitation by global soft drink giants by banning the sale and production of contaminated colas in the State.

Efforts were on to alleviate the distress of those affected by pesticide poisoning (Endosulfan) in north Kerala, he said.

Clearance awaited

The Chief Minister said the Government, which passed the Kerala Professional College Act to ensure merit and social justice in private institutions, was awaiting the concurrence of the judiciary for implementing the law.

The State was on the fast track to development. Comprehensive schemes were being implemented to protect workers in the traditional sectors.

Around 2.5 lakh employment opportunities would be created in the information technology sector in the next five years.

Several private companies had come forward to invest in the growing IT sector in Kerala.

The Government was determined to go ahead with the container transhipment terminal projects proposed at Vizhinjam and Vallarpadam.

The expansion of the Thiruvananthapuram airport and the setting up of an aircraft maintenance unit there were also on the anvil, he said.

IIT soon

Efforts were on to get the Centre's clearance for the Azhikal port and Kannur airport projects. An Indian Institute of Technology would soon be set up in Kerala. Earlier, the Chief Minister unfurled the national flag. Police units and NCC cadets were part of the Independence Day parade.

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