NavaKeralam mission projects launched

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI-M-led LDF government in the state Thursday unveiled four projects under 'NavaKeralam Mission' for comprehensive development in the fields of health, education, housing and sanitation.

Speaking at a seminar on NavaKeralam Mission here, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said government plans to implement the schemes with active people's participation.

The schemes are- 'Haritha Keralam' that envisages a clean state by taking up various waste management programmes, 'Ardram', a scheme for improving facilities in government run hospitals with a view to extend treatment at a reasonable price, 'Life', a mission for providing house to homeless people besides 'a mission to preserve public education system' by taking up a comprehensive change in teaching methodology, Vijayan said.

Government plans to implement schemes under the project on time bound basis with the support of civic bodies, he said.

Taking up sanitation schemes, preserving water sources and agriculture development would be the main focus of Haritha Keralam, he said adding organic farming would be promoted.

Inaugurating the programme, Governor P Sathasivam said these schemes would address four key areas of life, namely, Agriculture and Environment, Housing, Health care and Education.

Kerala, which has put in place a somewhat effective system of decentralization in governance, can bring about an impact through the cooperation of Local Self Government bodies and institutions, he said.

The Navakeralam Mission, which is being launched today, is a step in that direction, he said.

"The Ardram health mission's aim of ensuring quality health care with minimal waiting time for outpatients is a hope for millions who use our public health care system," he pointed out.

The Comprehensive Educational Rejuvenation Programme, to be launched as part of Navakeralam, can be seen as a new bench mark in educational infrastructure, he said.

"Our decision to transform 1000 schools to international standards and to improve the teaching and learning programme at the high school level are expected to strengthen and modernize our primary education sector," he said.

"However, I would suggest that we think of a similar mission for higher education also," he said.