The Hindu : Front Page : State likely to hold more talks with ADB on loan terms

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Thursday, Mar 08, 2007
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State likely to hold more talks with ADB on loan terms

Special Correspondent

Farmers' suicides have come down: Chief Minister

V.S. Achuthanandan says steps have been taken to curb price rise.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told the Assembly on Wednesday that the Government would hold further discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the (controversial) conditions of the loan for the Kerala Sustainable Development Project, if an opportunity arose.

Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address, the Chief Minister said the Government could change some of the conditions specified in the loan agreement with the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation on the Kerala Water Supply Project. That could be done with the ADB loan also.

The Chief Minister said he would have erred in some of his actions as Leader of the Opposition and Chief Minister. "Some mistakes occur when you carry out good deeds. I admit such mistakes. I am only proud to act according to the dictates of the party."

Mr. Achuthanandan said the State Government did not criticise the Central Government unnecessarily. Its criticism was on substantial issues such as price rise. One could only lament if the Central Government did not listen to even Congress president Sonia Gandhi and change its polices that caused price rise.

"On our part, we have seriously intervened (in the markets) to check price rise. Concerted efforts are needed for policy changes," he said.

He said that suicides of farmers had come down in the State on account of various measures taken by the Government. It had provided assistance to the families of 867 farmers who committed suicide.

The Chief Minister said that urgent measures would be taken to repair MC Road. A Vigilance inquiry had already been ordered into the award of contracts under the Kerala State Transport Project (covering the Main Central and other roads).

The World Bank, which was funding the project, had warned that this would result in cost escalation ranging from Rs.300 to Rs.500 crore.

The Government was examining the Vijayanunni Commission report on diversion of tsunami funds. Action would be taken on it soon.

Mr. Achuthanandan said that the Government was successful in reopening the Malabar Spinning Mills. Sincere efforts were under way for the realisation of the West Coast Canal. The Kerala State Electricity Board had provided four lakh connections after the LDF Government came to power. After the Chief Minister's reply, the House passed the motion for 81 votes against 36.

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