An astute administrator

Thiruvananthapuram: K.M. Mani who first entered the state cabinet in 1975, a couple of months before Emerge-ncy, was an astute administrator.  He held most of the major portfolios including home, finance, law, irrigation, power and revenue. During the late 70s period, Mani held home and finance portfolio. While the chief ministers kept changing in that period, the Pala strong man discharged his responsibilities as minister quite efficiently.

Mani maintained very strong ties with Congress leaders like late K Karunakaran, A.K. Antony and Oommen Chandy. While all of them went on to become chief ministers of the state, the Kerala Congress leader narrowly missed the top post in 1979 wh-en things went in favour of C.H. Mohammad Koya of Muslim League. However, Congress CMs had him as important minister in their Cabinet.

One of the major achievements of the Kerala Co-ngress leader was the introduction of agricultural workers pension scheme which benefited the po-orest of the poor.  For the farmers he came out wi-th crop in-surance scheme to help them meet the loss sustained during natural calamities. Green house initiative was another major programme.

As finance minster he was instrumental in providing relief to various sections of society. Karunya lottery which raised resources for Karunya Benevolent Scheme, provided medical care to lakhs of needy people. Health card for students, pension for destitute, unemployment dole and welfare fund for fishermen were among the major initiatives .

Mani played a key role implementing electrification schemes while handling power portfolio. He could take electricity to remote villages. As irrigation minister he played a key role in implementing drinking water schemes.

During his tenure as revenue minister, the Kerala Congress leader revamped village offices and ensured effective service delivery mechanism and make institutions people friendly. It was during this period that Mani came out with revenue cards. Other initiatives taken by included setting up of revenue towers in Taluk offices, ensuring effective coordination between registration and survey depa-rtments, survey sketches at the time of registration, setting up of satellite cities, housing sche-mes, revenue adalats.

Welfare schemes inclu-ded those for cashew workers, pension for private college teachers, insurance for government employees, direct appointment for physically challenged persons in government departments, pension scheme for advocates and clerks, setting up of legal service authority for providing legal aid to common man and entrepreneurs mission.

In his death, the state has lost an efficient and practical administrator  who with his vast experience touched the lives of  lakhs of people.