Kerala - Thrissur   

Kerala can become fastest growing State, says Isaac

Thrissur: If it can maintain the current economic growth rate, Kerala will become the fastest growing State in 3-4 years, Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac has said.

Addressing a discussion on the State budget 2011-12 here on Sunday, Dr. Isaac said the budget proposed an alternative growth model against the neo-liberal policies advocated by the Centre. “The budget offers a total social security programme for the common man, right from the birth of a child to his/her education, employment, health and welfare pension,” he noted.

The perception that the State's ambience was not good for development was not true. Kerala's economy recorded a growth of 9.89 per cent during 2009-10, Dr. Isaac said. “The service sector contributes a major share to the State's economy. But lack of sufficient infrastructure prevents investment in the industrial sector.”

The budget recommended a Rs.1,920-crore package to improve the State highways. The Rs.1,000-crore bypass package would help decongest roads in the State, he said.

The higher education sector in the State had been neglected for long. “How can we expect growth of knowledge industry if we do not have a knowledge society? The Rs.2,296-crore allotment will provide much-needed impetus to quality higher education in the State,” he said. The Minister was also optimistic about the growth of the farm sector.

Thrissur Mayor I. P. Paul was sceptical about the development package for the city in the budget as it was proposed with just one month's tenure remaining. Speakers at the section hailed the market interventions through the Civil Supplies Corporation proposed at the budget. Representatives of banks and trade and management organisations participated in the discussion.

Dr. Isaac visited Brahmaswom Madhom here on Sunday.

The budget had set aside Rs.1 crore for the renovation of the madhom. The Minister asked the madhom authorities to make a detailed plan for its renovation.

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