CM Pinarayi Vijayan iterates development, warns flimsy critics

KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reaffirmed the determination of the state government to go ahead with mega development projects in the state irrespective of the opposition from certain quarters. Speaking at the inaugural function of the Kochi Metro on Saturday, the Chief Minister said the government of Kerala is committed to the development mantra championed by the Union Government and sought the support and cooperation of the Centre for the state.

“The state government is not having sufficient own resources to make major foray into development but it has a positive attitude towards the development”, he said.  The completion of Kochi Metro has given the message that any development project could be completed in the state in a time-bound manner, he said. Referring to the controversies linked with development projects Pinarayi said some sections of people may become the victims during the implementation of development. The government is having a policy of rehabilitating such people.

The government however is not ready to back down if the opposition persists even after formulating rehabilitation schemes, he said.  “The government is open to critical appraisal but no one should be under the impression that the government can be tied down by criticism for the sake of criticism”, he added. The Chief Minister also said that the forces trying to create a controversy over who will inaugurate the Kochi Metro have failed in their game.

“The state government was clear from the beginning that the Prime Minister will be the person to inaugurate the project. The people who have tried to create a controversy in this regard are now a disappointed lot”, he added. Pinarayi chose the metro inaugural venue to send out tough message on development projects even as a section of people at Puthuvypen in Kochi are leading an agitation against an LPG terminal by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.