Delhi 21-11-2011: The Chief Minister met the Prime Minister along with his Cabinet colleagues S/Shri K.M. Mani, Finance Minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty, Minister for Industries, Adoor Prakash, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, K.Babu, Minister for Excise, Aryadan Mohammed, Minister for Power, K.P. Anil Kumar, Minister for Tourism, M. K. Muneer, Minister for Panchayats, Shri M.I. Shanavas, MP and Planning Board Vice Chairman Shri K.M.Chandrasekhar.

A Memorandum containing major issues on which Prime Minister’s intervention is sought was given to the Prime Minister. The formost amongst these was the demand for a special financial package for the Govt. of Kerala. The Prime Minister agreed that Kerala along with other States such as Punjab and Bengal are debt stress State. He reminded that it was everybody’s responsibility to control the debt. He promised to take up this issue with the Union Finance Minister to see what could be done to reduce the stress of debt on Kerala Government.

The Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister for helping the State to meet the responsibility for paying compensation to endosulfan victims as directed by the NHRC. The Vice Chancellor, Planning Board quoted the precedent of Bhopal gas victims which could help the centre in providing this assistance. The Prime Minister agreed to look into it.

The Chief Minister asked for conferring Classical Language Status to Malayalam language. Prime Minister agreed to refer it to the experts in this field so that a decision could be taken.

The Chief Minister brought to the notice of the Prime Minister the need for change or clarification about the law relating to Cabotage which restricts the freedom of foreign containers to move along the Indian Coast. It was brought to the notice of the Prime Minister that even the Attorney General of India has rendered an opinion that the coastal movement by EXIM containers did not come within the definition of “Coasting Trade”. The Prime Minister agreed to have this matter examined.
The Chief Minister explained to the Prime Minister the need for extra power allocation, in the background of the State not being able to use its Hydel resources due to considerations of environment. The Prime Minister promised to ask the Power Minister to examine this and tell him what could be done in this regard.

To the request by the Chief Minister to provide Naptha for Kayamkulam Thermal Plant at a concessional rate and to reduce the excise duty, the Prime Minister agreed to have it looked into.

The Chief Minister spoke about the High Speed Rail Corridor Project  with which the Kerala Government is planning to connect one end of the State to the other with a high speed rail connection. This project will be one of the first in the country. The Prime Minister expressed happiness at such desire to improve the infrastructure in the State that could put the State on a high growth path. The Prime Minister agreed to instruct the Railways to give all support to the State for implementing this High Speed Rail system.

The Chief Minister also mentioned about an earthquake which occurred the day before yesterday and which is reported to have caused some leakage in the Mullaperiyar Dam. The Prime Minister agreed with the need to provide safety for all the citizens. He agreed with the Chief Minister about the need for an early settlement of this issue which is pending before the Supreme Court.

Shri M.I. Shanavas, M.P., pointed out that there is an urgent need for opening a centre for Sree Chithira Tirunal Institute for Medical Science & Technology (SCTIMST) at Wayanad since this is one of the major poll promises made by the UDF. The Prime Minister consented to take up the matter with Science & Technology Union Minister, Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh in this subject matter. The Prime Minister specifically promised to have all the issues raised in the Memorandum examined by the concerned Ministries. He informed that he had over ruled the objection of the Planning Commission to ensure that the dream project of Kochi Metro would be a reality soon. This project has already been appraised at pre-PIB stage.

Chief Minister invited the Prime Minister for visiting Kerala to inaugurate the Emerging Kerala Meet scheduled to be held in September, 2012. The Prime Minister said that he would be very glad to visit Kerala to inaugurate this event.

Meeting with Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Hon. Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare:

The Chief Minister met the Union Minister for Health, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, along with his Cabinet colleagues S/Shri K.M. Mani, Finance Minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty, Minister for Industries, Adoor Prakash, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, K.Babu, Minister for Excise, Aryadan Mohammed, Minister for Power and Planning Board Vice Chairman Shri K.M.Chandrasekhar and other officers. Senior officers of the Ministry of Health including Secretary (Health) Shri Pradhan were also present

The Chief Minister raised the demand for providing Central Assistance to Endosulfan victims. Minister of Health assured to provide all support as feasible under NRHM. The Vice Chairman, Planning Board suggested that a precedent existed in the form of relief grant to the victims of Bhopal Gas tragedy. The Union Minister replied that the assistance for medical care of the victims of endosulfan will be provided through an additional provision in the National Rural Health Mission. The issue of support for the payment of compensation on the pattern of Bhopal Tragedy involves other departments also and therefore this matter will have to be taken up with the concurrence of the Planning Commission to the Union Cabinet after making joint consultations with the State Government. The Chief Minister requested for upgrading the Trivandrum Regional

Cancer Centre to the level of National Institute and Malabar Cancer Centre to the level of Regional Cancer Centre. The Union Minister agreed with Kerala’s request to raise the Malabar Cancer Centre to the status of Regional Cancer Centre. The matter regarding the request to upgrade the Trivandrum Regional Cancer Centre to a National level Cancer Centre was also promised to be given a favourable consideration during the 12th Plan period.

The Chief Minister requested for upgradation of Govt. Medical College, Kozhikode under Prime Minister’s Swasthya Suraksha Yojana Phase –II. The Union Minister replied that in-principle clearances have already been obtained from the Planning Commission and it will be taken for the approval during the first year of the next Plan. The Chief Minister also requested for similar upgradation of Medical College, Kottayam. The Union Minister agreed to consider also favourably under the 12th Five Year Plan provisions.

The Union Minister expressed inability for setting up a Regional Institute for Para-Medical Science at Kozhikode, since such an Institute has already established only last year in Coimbatore to take care of needs of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Union Minister specifically assured that a separate quota of 390 students from Kerala for admission to this institute has been approved by the Cabinet based on the population data to ensure that students from all the States in the region get adequate opportunity. Union Minister for Health also promised that the State would be assisted for setting up a State Institute of Paramedical Sciences under the new scheme proposed by them for implementation during the 12th Plan, once the same is approved by the Planning The Chief Minister also asked the Union Minister to consider granting special assistance for health facilities to the Sabarimala Pilgrimage. The officers of Health Ministry agreed to consider the request for upgrading the facilities available in the vicinity of Sabarimala

To the request by the Govt. of Kerala to provide flexibility in the implementation of RSBY, the Union Minister said that there is already some flexibility available under this scheme and the Kerala Government is making use of it. The issue of further universalisation of Health Insurance is under active consideration of Govt. of India. Both the Planning Commission and the Health Ministry are devising ways so that all poor persons can be covered by such Insurance Scheme. Kerala Government can add to this scheme and to make them more universally applicable. The Union Minister also announced that a scheme of assistance of 25 crores to each of the district hospital and General Hospital of the State is being proposed by their Ministry, which is likely to be approved in the next five year plan. He has promised to approve all the proposal of Kerala under that Scheme, after its launch.

Meeting with Shri Anand Sharma, Hon. Union Minister of Commerce & Industries:

The State Government proposal for setting up the Kochi - Coimbatore Industrial Corridor was presented to the Union Minister of Commerce & Industry. In discussions, it was decided that the pre-feasibility report prepared by the State Govt. for this project would be examined favourably in line with the National Manufacturing Policy and a team from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry would visit Kerala shortly for deciding upon next steps for carrying forward the It was also decided that the Southern Zone Industries Ministers’ Meeting would be held on the 9th of December, 2011 at Thiruvananthapuram to discuss Commerce, Industries, Trade and Textile related issues. Union Minister of Commerce & Industries and Textiles will attend the meeting.

To the request of the State Govt. for support from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry for conducting the “Coir Kerala International Fair” at Alappuzha in February, 2012, the Union Minister agreed to consider support and financial assistance under their existing schemes. The Union Minister was also invited to participate in Coir Kerala  International Fair and he agreed to favourably consider this request also.

Chief Minister requested for intervention from Minister for Commerce & Industries for getting notification for Smart City, SEZ in Kochi pending completion of the bridge to provide continuity between two segments of the land Proposed in the project. This was necessary in view of likely delay for off-take in the project because the completion period of the bridge is approximately 18 months and conditional approval as it is would delay the project. The State Government would provide undertaking to complete the bridge concurrently to the construction of other facilities in SEZ. Minister for Commerce & Industries assured that the next meeting of BoA, SEZ would consider the proposal based on the recommendations made in this regard.

Meeting with Shri Vayalar Ravi, Hon. Minister for Civil Aviation:

Kannur Airport :- The Chairman Airport Authority of India informed that an extent of 5 acres of land in the linear stretch parallel to proposed run way is further required on account of runway safety in accordance with new norms. The Chief Minister assured that the same would be provided for immediately.

Detailed Project Report with engineering details are yet to be completed for want of adequate land and the same would be complete before June, 2012. Airport Authority of India will contribute to 13% of share capital in the In respect of building design, AAI proposed the twin option of in- house architectural wing

Minister desired that the AAI proposal for Architectural design and share capital offer would be considered by the Board of Kannur Airport Company Ltd for appropriate decision.

Karipur Airport :- Union Minister informed that 137 acres of land is yet to be acquired and handed over by the State Govt. for providing safety norms on the run way in the critical areas of the airport. The land is necessary for further expansion of the airport and operations. Chief Minister assured that the same would be carried out in time bound manner.

Trivandrum Airport:- Union Minister pointed out that 85 acres of land is yet to be handed over by state government which is holding the expansion of the existing facilities like new terminal building for domestic operations, cargo facilities etc. Chief Minister assured that the same would be done at the earliest.

Cochin Airport: - CIAL’s demand for Instrument Landing System (ILS) on secondary runway has been examined in the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Union Minister informed that in view of existing PB N services which is catering to the both ends of main runway, it is not necessary to provide ILS on secondary runway. of AAI and open market transparent bidding. The Chief The necessity of approach RADAR by CIAL has been realised by Union Govt. and Union Minister assured that once the court vacates the stay on the procurement of equipment, the same would be installed at Cochin Airport. The provision and procurement of metrological equipments have been already discussed with Indian Metrological Department and they are in the process of installing the new equipments.

Union Minister favoured the idea of continuation of Calicut- Trivandrum Air Services and directed CMD Air India to restore the services immediately.Union Minister directed to CMD Air India to explore the possibility of Kochi – Europe services from next calendar.

Meeting with Shri V. Kishore Chandra Deo, Hon. Union Minister of Tribal Affairs & Panchayati Raj:

Comprehensive Project for Sustainable Development for Scheduled Tribes in Kerala at the project cost of Rs. 380.27 crores was submitted by Hon’ble Chief Minister that requested to provide for one time special grant to fund the project components. Union Minister assured that the project components which are part of any of the existing scheme of Government of India would be considered Union Minister assured that higher allocation will be provided for comprehensive healthcare programme for tribals in the State of Kerala. Union Minister informed that Government of Kerala should avail the facility of education loan for higher education and self employment for Scheduled Tribes in the State. The education loans do not carry any interest burden during study Model Tribal Colonies Proposals – Union Minister informed that the proposal would be examined and any assistance from Govt. Of India could be tied up provided there is a approved components for assistance.

Voluntary Reallocation Programme for Tribals in Wayanad – Union Minister informed that the proposal of Govt. of Kerala would be cleared provided there is no conflict with the provisions of Forest Right Acts. AHAD Replication Programme for Wayanad - Union Minister informed that Ministry of Tribal Affairs has already recommended the  project for external assistance to the Ministry of Finance.

Global Rural Meet 2012 – The request of Govt. of Kerala for finance assistance would be considered once formal proposal is received in this regard.

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22- Nov- 2011

23- Nov- 2011