Kerala - Kollam   

Achuthanandan seeks backing of youth organisations

Staff Reporter

Says Government committed to the welfare of weaker sections

SPELLS OUT POLICY: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan inaugurating a seminar on `Globalisation policies' in connection with the State conference of the All India Youth Federation in Kollam on Monday.

KOLLAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said here on Monday that it was with the good intention of providing a berth for the students from unprivileged and financially weaker sections in professional colleges that the Left Democratic Front Government (LDF) had enacted the Kerala Professional Colleges or Institutions Act.

He was inaugurating a seminar organised in connection with the 17th State conference of the All India Youth Federation (AIYF). The Chief Minister said the Government was unable to implement the Act in its letter and spirit as private professional college managements had moved the High Court and the Supreme Court and earned verdicts in their favour.

However, the Government had, through the loopholes and conciliatory talks with the representatives of the private managements, evolved an admission process which does not give room for many complaints.

The original Act had a provision to provide 12 per cent of the seats to poor students from the upper castes thereby making it clear that the Government was committed to the needs of the economically weaker sections. Mr. Achuthanandan said that in the wake of the court verdicts, the Government had succeeded in its endeavour mainly due to the support of the youth of the progressive forces.

He said the AIYF had voiced its protest against the hike in power tariff during the United Democratic Front (UDF) rule. Eventually, the UDF Government had to revoke the hike.

The Government was initiating steps to improve the performance of the public distribution system, the Kerala State Electricity Board and the Health Department, he added.

While the Government was initiating positive measures, the Opposition was engaged in futile attempts to thwart the measures.

Mr. Achuthanandan said that to oppose the moves of the Opposition, the Government needed the backing of youth organisations such as the AIYF.

Minister for Water Resources N.K. Premachandran, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies C. Divakaran and Kovoor Kunjumon, MLA, addressed the gathering. AIYF State president P.S. Supal presided over the inaugural function.

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