VD Satheesan meets PM Modi, seeks support for Kerala’s development projects; suspense in PM Shri scheme

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister V D Satheesan raised Kerala’s severe financial crisis during his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He informed the Prime Minister about the state’s priorities and requested full support for Kerala’s major development projects.

The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi. The Chief Minister also met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at her office in Kartavya Bhavan. Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak and other senior officials accompanied him.

The Chief Minister requested that the Rs 5,580 crore paid by Kerala to the National Highways Authority for land acquisition related to National Highway development should be excluded from the state’s borrowing limit. Kerala had contributed 25 percent of the total land acquisition cost for the highway project.

Satheesan said both the Prime Minister and the Union Finance Minister responded positively when the state highlighted issues between the Centre and Kerala. He added that both leaders also made certain suggestions to the state government. Kerala plans to approach the Centre again with a detailed proposal after releasing a white paper on the state’s financial condition in the first week of June.

Decision on PM SHRI scheme after legal review
After meeting the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, the Chief Minister addressed the media at Kerala House. However, he did not clearly state the government’s position on the PM SHRI Scheme. He said a decision would be taken only after examining the legal aspects of the matter. He also pointed out that the previous LDF government had signed an agreement with the central government on the issue, and its implications must be studied before making a final decision.

The Chief Minister also assured that poor residents in Munambam would not be evicted and that the government would ensure complete land ownership rights for them.

Case sabotaged: Appropriate action after examining report
Youth Congress members who were assaulted during the “rescue operation” incident in Alappuzha during the Nava Kerala Yatra had accused ADGP M R Ajith Kumar of sabotaging the case. When journalists raised the issue, the Chief Minister said that an appropriate decision would be taken after examining the report submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).