US events: Kerala Planning Board note of caution

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 15. The State Planning Board today sounded a note of caution at the impact the American war would have on the country's and the State's economy.

The meeting of the full board discussed the issues related to the fallout of the terrorist attacks on America. The Planning Board Vice-Chairman, Mr V Ramachandran, said that major changes were on the cards consequent on the terrorist attack in the U.S. The aftereffect of this is uncertain, but it would have its impact on oil prices. The people in West Asia are confused about the outcome, he said and added that the State should prepare for the fallout of the emerging situation.

Mr Ramachandran appealed to all sections to change their attitude towards various issues affecting the State. Asked whether he was optimistic about getting the UDF Government politically accept some of the Planning Board decisions, Mr Ramachandran said that the measures which had been prescribed now had been recommended years ago. But today, the State had come to such a situation that it had to take the decision in order to move ahead.

``Some of the decisions taken so far could have been termed as uncomfortable had they been taken a decade ago. But today, we have no other alternative but to take these decisions,'' he said and recalled how the proposal to start an ophthalmology course in the Little Flower Hospital in Angamaly in 1984 had brought the State to a near standstill.

``Today, we are prepared to accept engineering and medical colleges in the private sector,'' he remarked.

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Section  : Southern States
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