The Hindu : New Delhi News : State has set new growth pattern: VS

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State has set new growth pattern: VS

Special Correspondent

Says inclusive growth is its hallmark

Claims State gave initiative for loan waiver scheme
Top priority to addressing problem of food scarcity

NEW DELHI: Kerala government celebrated the completion of two years in office on Wednesday with the claim of having succeeded in its “bold new experiment” of providing an alternative mode of development.

“A bold new experiment is going on in Kerala, an experiment that should be of interest to not only the whole nation but also the entire Third World,” Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said in the Capital at a specially convened press conference.

The loan waiver scheme announced by the Centre in this year’s Union Budget was, according to the Chief Minister, drawn from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s decision to set up a Farmers’ Debt Relief Commission and provide support to farmers. Having said this, Mr. Achuthanandan added: “I would claim this as a development showing the relevance of the Kerala experiment. Our initiative has made the Centre aware of the cataract clouding its vision.”

Listing the achievements of his government, including several infrastructure projects, increase in investment and turning around the fortunes of several loss-making units in the public sector, the Chief Minister argued that it was not the LDF government’s philosophy to measure success on the basis of economic growth alone.

“Economic growth bypassing large sections of the poor is meaningless. The greatest thing about the Kerala phenomenon is that the growth is an inclusive one, the government vigilantly watchful of taking the fruits of development to every section of society.”

He attached top priority to addressing the problem of food scarcity.

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