National highway development in time-bound manner: Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday said the national highway development work in the state would be completed in a time-bound manner. At a press conference after his meeting with union ministers in Delhi, Mr Vijayan said the central government had agreed to grant relaxation in tender proceedings in connection with NH development.

The norm that tender proceedings would be allowed only after completion of 80 per cent of land acquisition has been reduced to 60 per cent, he said. The chief minister said the government would have an open mind on the issue of compensation. He said the Tamil Nadu decision to increase water level in Mullaperiyar dam cannot be approved of.

At the same time, Tamil Nadu and Centre's cooperation was required to construct the new dam. Firstly we require an internal expert team to check the strength of the dam and efforts are on in this regard. Mr Vijayan said more than 1000 non-resident Keralites were languishing in various jails across gulf countries. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has assured to provide legal aid.

On Lavalin case, he said: “Lavalin case has ceased to exist. The court has made it clear and its decision was not an instant one but after hearing and examining arguments and counter arguments in the case in detail.’’ Pinaryi said there was nothing wrong in Centre sending an all-party delegation to study the problems in Kannur.

But that should not be on the lines of the National Commission of Women which only heard the RSS and BJP version, he said. He said the clashes in Kannur have not affected relations with the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre. The RSS is trying to target the CPM workers. They have been carrying out such attacks.

“Why are they giving weapons training to their cadre,” he asked. “I am a resident of Pinarayi village and I am aware of the area more than Kummanam. There is no empire,” he added. Pinarayi said the BJP was a frustrated lot in the state.