Former government’s ‘K’ projects face uncertain future

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The future of several ‘K’ projects launched by the previous LDF government has become uncertain, with some of them facing the prospect of closure. The projects include K-Rail, which was at the centre of the yellow survey-stone controversy, as well as KIIFB, K-Fon, K-Smart, K-DISC, K-Store, K-FI, K-ASAP and KUSUM.

The new UDF government’s Budget has largely left out several of these ‘K’ projects, including KIIFB. Instead, it has announced a host of new initiatives, including the Knowledge Valley, Urban Growth Mission, Disaster Resilience Programme, Health and Life Sciences City and Silver Economy.

The government has also decided to focus on the effective implementation of some welfare schemes introduced during the previous UDF government’s tenure. The UDF views the ‘K’ projects launched by the previous LDF government as schemes introduced either by renaming projects of the earlier UDF government or by linking them with central government programmes. The new government, meanwhile, considers these projects to have been launched primarily with political interests in mind. Chief Minister and Finance Minister V.D. Satheesan has described them as projects that do not offer adequate financial returns.

A special committee has been appointed to examine institutions and projects that do not generate financial benefits and instead incur losses. A separate committee has also been constituted to study KIIFB. Some of the ‘K’ projects may continue for some time, particularly those functioning as nodal agencies for central government schemes. K-Rail and KUSUM are among the projects that could fall into this category.

K-Smart may also continue as it forms part of the e-governance system. However, the future of projects such as K-FI and K-Fon remains uncertain. K-Fon has not been included among the projects being implemented with central assistance, including those aimed at establishing a network connecting local self-government institutions. Although government institutions have been directed to use K-Fon, the previous government itself could not fully implement the directive. Even where K-Fon connections have been provided, bills are reportedly not being paid. In many places, the service is being used merely as an alternative connection. Several ‘K’ projects have received budget allocations of less than ₹100 crore this time.