Kerala CM releases LDF govt’s 10-year report card, says 97% promises fulfilled

Kannur: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday released his LDF govt's ‘10-year progress report', claiming that around 97% of the 900 promises made in the 2021 election manifesto have either been fulfilled or are in finishing stages. Releasing the report at a news conference in Kannur, Vijayan said people have the right to know to know what extent election promises have been implemented. "The LDF govt has completed five lakh houses under the LIFE Mission, while another 2,782 houses and 738 flats have been handed over to fisher families under the Punargeham scheme. In the past 10 years, as many as 4,56,689 families were granted land titles, resolving long-pending land issues," the chief minister said. He added that 64,006 families have been lifted out of extreme poverty, making Kerala the first state in the country to achieve this milestone. "The govt also enacted the ‘One House Protection Law' to prevent the seizure of houses belonging to economically weaker families. Monthly assistance of Rs 100 is being provided to over 16 lakh housewives. Welfare initiatives for inmates of orphanages and a senior citizens commission have been established," the CM said. Vijayan added that the state ranked fifth in NITI Aayog's ‘Ease of Doing Business' index due to a favourable industrial climate. "The right to public services Bill has ensured time-bound delivery of services as a legal right. As many as 3,13,200 appointments were made through the PSC with the age limits increased to expand opportunities. Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council facilitated 2.66 lakh job opportunities while 75,376 youth received financial assistance under the Connect to Workers scheme for self-employment," he said. He added that steps have been taken to implement the announcement of free degree education. "In infrastructure, the state contributed 25% for the development of NH 66. Additionally, hill highway and coastal highway projects are progressing. The ongoing construction of Anakkampoyil tunnel road is expected to transform Wayanad's road connectivity. The Vizhinjam port project has reached a stage targeting completion by 2028. A total 178 houses have been completed for those who lost houses in the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides in Wayanad, with the remaining under construction," he said. Chief minister further criticized both Congress and BJP for taking a stand against the proposed SilverLine project. "Though the state govt had tried to get approval from the Centre for the project, UDF and BJP took it as a political weapon to oppose the govt. Following this, the project failed to get central sanction. However, the govt is still considering a proposal to set up a high-speed rail corridor," he added. To strengthen the health care sector, modern institutions including Institute of Advanced Virology have been set up, Vijayan said. "The assured pension scheme will be executed for govt employees from April, ensuring 50% of the last-drawn salary as pension. A decision has been taken to set up a police station exclusively to deal with issues of NRIs," the CM added.