Thiruvananthapuram (Keralam) [India], May 29 (ANI): Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Friday outlined a transformative vision for the state, announcing plans to develop Keralam into a major port hub and the largest aviation hub in South Asia.
Addressing a press conference here today, the Chief Minister emphasised that the state government is committed to a comprehensive overhaul of infrastructure and the social sector.
“The government’s goal is to transform Keralam into a major port hub. Keralam will be developed into the largest aviation hub in South Asia. The higher education sector will be modernised, and universities will be turned into Centres of Excellence,” CM Satheesan said.
Highlighting the government’s focus on internal security and public health, the Chief Minister asserted that a crackdown on illegal activities is imminent.
“Sustainable development is the government’s priority. Drug mafias will be dismantled. The public healthcare sector will be strengthened,” he added.
The Chief Minister also addressed long-standing issues regarding land rights and regional welfare and also budget.
“Unconditional land titles will be issued, and outdated land laws will be amended to suit modern requirements. The budget announcements will be in line with all these objectives,” Satheesan stated.
Earlier on Tuesday, Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan said that the state government has requested the Centre to exclude the ₹5,580 crore contributed for National Highway land acquisition from the state’s borrowing limit.
Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister highlighted the state’s significant financial contribution to infrastructure and the resulting impact on its borrowing capacity.
“Keralam has contributed ₹5,580 crore towards land acquisition for the National Highway project, which has already been transferred to the NHAI. We have requested that this amount be excluded from the state’s borrowing limit,” the Chief Minister said.
Explaining the technicalities of the state’s fiscal space, the CM noted that the actual available borrowing limit is tighter than it appears on paper.
“The state’s borrowing ceiling is 3.5 per cent, of which 0.5 per cent is conditional and can be utilised only for the power sector. In reality, we effectively have only 3 per cent available. Even within that, liabilities created through KIIFB and the pension fund have significantly reduced the scope for fresh borrowing. We have communicated all these details to the Centre,” he added.
The Chief Minister further stated that the government plans to provide a more comprehensive breakdown of the state’s financial position soon. (ANI)