THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One month into office, the Congress-led UDF government in Kerala today unveiled a slew of measures to ensure fast-track economic development without compromising the welfare of poorer sections besides assuring a transparent and corruption-free rule.Delivering his policy address to the Assembly, Governor R S Gavai said providing a transparent and corruption-free rule is a major priority of the government led by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy while initiating major projects based on the moto of "big strides in a fast-paced manner".A health insurance scheme for below poverty line sections covering serious illnesses like cancer, heart and kidney ailments, Distress Relief Fund for fisherfolk to compensate loss of craft and implements, insurance cover for school students and a child rights policy were some of the welfare measures announced in the address.Dubbing the previous LDF government "a failure" on vital fronts, it said projects like Kochi Metro rail, Vizhinjam port and Kannur airport will be "taken out of the cold storage".While Gavai confined to the introductory and concluding portions of the text, the opposition members greeted the proceedings by displaying papers with the demand "remove tainted ministers" written on them.Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan later termed the address as "totally disappointing" and said it had nothing new to place before the people except the schemes initiated during the LDF rule.Identifying IT, tourism, education, health, retail and biotechnology as areas of great scope for Kerala, Gavai said new policies aiming at harnessing their full potential by drawing on inherent strength and resources will be evolved.He said efforts will be made to make Kerala an investment- friendly destination for IT sector.As part of its liberal investment policy, global investors meets will be conducted and procedures for starting ventures would be simplified without compromising on environmental concerns, he said.The address, at the same time, made it clear that PSUs would not be privatised and required support would be extended to traditional industries like coir and handloom.Seeking to rescue farmers from debt trap, a new credit policy would be unveiled, in select areas to begin with.Special attention would be made to promote commercial cultivation of vegetables utilising even fallow lands, homesteads and vacant land in public and private possession, the governor said.
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