THE Left Democratic Front government completed its first month, providing hope and optimism to the people. On May 25, the LDF formed the government, with Pinarayi Vijayan as chief minister, after a tremendous victory in assembly election bagging 91 out of 140 seats.

The first cabinet meeting had expressed the government’s will to implement pro-people measures and curtail corruption. Hike of welfare pension to Rs 1,000 a month, allotment of Rs 150 crore to strengthen public distribution system in order to curb spiralling price hike and decision to direct every department for submitting report about vacant posts are among the major pronouncements. The cabinet also decided to continue five-year plan in the state.

The erstwhile UDF government’s controversial decisions taken at the fag end of its term, which led to massive corruption and loot of the state’s resources, has been thoroughly analysed and scanned by a sub-committee, led by minister of law, culture and SC/ST affairs A K Balan. The committee found out that 19 such decisions were “unlawful”.

The decision to appoint a special team, headed by ADGP B Sandhya, to investigate the gruesome murder and rape of Dalit law student Jisha, to provide government job to Jisha’s sister and monthly pension to her mother received huge applause from the common public. It is to be recalled that police had intentionally destroyed all possible evidence at the site of murder during the UDF regime. Subsequently the special team has arrested the culprit, Amirul Islam, on June 19. In order to keep the morale of the police force high, a meticulous revamp of the force has been carried out. The government carefully moved to provide maximum care to the public education by taking over four government-aided schools which were on the verge of closure.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced that every complaint of the people will be redressed within a period of one month. Every minister should spend five days in a week in the capital to streamline state affairs. Complaints that can be solved at the district level should not be dragged to the state capital. Through these decisions, the government has sent a clear message to strengthen decentralisation measures.

Maveli stores and consumer fed outlets are functioning actively with the intervention of the government. Black gram (urad dal), which costs Rs 181 per kg, is available in these Maveli store outlets only for Rs 66. Thirteen such essential food articles are made available in controlled-price in Maveli stores. A special Ramzan fare has also started by government agencies.

To overcome the scarcity of medicines in government hospitals, Rs 37.2 crore has been provided to Karunya Pharmacy. It was also decided to increase paddy cultivation from 1.98 lakh hectares to 3 lakh hectares.

It was decided to increase tax collection by 20 per cent. Assistance to three-tier panchayat bodies will be provided through 12 instalments. The decision to expedite the construction of Kochi Metro, to start the construction Kochi water metro and the completion of Smart City in Kochi also been taken. Smart City project has been envisaged to provide one lakh jobs in IT and IT-enabled sector.  (END)