Kerala Budget: Six new developmental hubs to revitalize Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Aiming to speed up development of the state, around half a dozen hubs ranging from medical to artificial intelligence were announced in the budget.

One of them is to establish world-class institutions and make Kerala the hub of higher education in the country. Higher standards of excellence will be achieved with comprehensive reforms including restructuring of higher education.

A task force will be formed with the inclusion of non-resident academic experts. The conclave will be held in Europe, America, Gulf and Singapore. There will be a conclave in the state in August. A higher education investment policy will be formed. International standard institutions will be created in collaboration with national and foreign institutions.

An action plan will also be prepared to turn Kerala into a robotics hub in collaboration with research institutes and companies. A hub will also be formed to make Kerala thrive in Artificial intelligence. The International AI Conclave will be held in July in collaboration with IBM. With better employment opportunities and basic facilities, moves will be made to turn Kerala into an IT hub. Rs 504.17 crore will be allotted to the IT field.

Kerala will also transform in a way to become a medical hub where foreigners come in large numbers to seek traditional treatment. Special facilities will be provided for foreigners in government medical colleges.

20 per cent of the population is over sixty years of age. As young people migrate abroad for work and education, the elderly cannot be protected. Care centres will be established to help senior citizens continue leading a happy life.

Development Hub

Kerala will be transformed into an expansive and comprehensive hub with townships, residential areas, industrial hubs, warehouses and entertainment hubs.

CareHub

Kerala will become a care hub where people from different parts of the world come for a tranquil vacation. This field will rely on international standards with private participation.