Assembly protests neglect of State

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 28. The Kerala Assembly, which does not have any presence of the BJP or its allies, today unanimously adopted a resolution placing on record the people's strong protest at the `cruel neglect' of the State in the Railway Budget.

The resolution, which was moved by the Finance Minister, Mr. T. Sivadasa Menon, in the absence of the Chief Minister, Mr. E. K. Nayanar, urged the Centre to take immediate steps to do justice to Kerala by setting apart adequate funds for the development of the railways in the State.

He listed Kerala's immediate needs as the doubling of the Mangalore - Thiruvananthapuram line, electrification of the Kottayam and Alappuzha lines, conversion of the twice weekly Thiruvananthapuram - Delhi Rajadhani Express into a daily service, running of one more train between Mangalore and Thiruvananthapuram and the introduction of a new train from Palakkad - Ottapalam to Delhi via Chennai.

The Speaker, Mr. M. Vijayakumar, said that arrangements would be made to have the resolution delivered by a special messenger to the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister. He added that copies of the resolution would be given to the MPs from Kerala also.

Mr. Menon, who raised the issue through a statement under Rule 300 meant for raising important matters of public interest, said that the Railway Budget was very harmful to the State as it did not contain any new train, line, scheme or line doubling for Kerala. Adequate funds had not been earmarked for completing or speeding up projects announced earlier either. There was not even a reference to the doubling of the Kayamkulam - Kochi line which was necessary for running more trains and prevent the late running of trains. Line electrification of Kerala had also been neglected.

He claimed that Kerala was eligible for Rs. 440 crores on the basis of the Planning Commission's norms and for Rs. 330 crores on the basis of population as against the Rs. 180 crores set apart for it. He contended that the hike in freight charge too would affect Kerala the worst because of its geographical location in the southern most tip of the country.

The Minister stated that the Chief Minister had brought the State's needs to Ms. Mamta Banerjee's attention soon after she took over as Railway Minister. He had also conveyed the State's needs to her directly when he met her in Delhi on November 17. He again wrote in this connection to her on November 26 and January 31 and to the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Mr. K. C. Pant, on February 24.

He lamented that the Centre had not attached any importance to Kerala's interests. He dubbed the budget as one which gave importance to the BJP's political interests. There were special references in the budget to appease the BJP's allies and special consideration had been given to the States ruled by them.

He charged the Centre with having given the go-by to the balanced development of all the States and with exploiting the non-BJP- ruled States to fatten the BJP-ruled ones. It posed a threat to even the federal character of the country. He lauded the MPs of the State for their united action against the budget.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. A. K. Antony, said the people were expecting a substantial outlay and new projects for Kerala in this year's budget as it came after Mr. Nitish Kumar's which had done justice to the State. They also reposed a lot of hope in Ms. Banerjee because of the emotional attachment between Kerala and West Bengal. But unfortunately it did not offer even new coaches in the place of the old and stinking ones which were used in the State. Even the funds earmarked for the ongoing work were not satisfactory.

He also expressed concern at the silence over the much-talked about Angamaly - Sabari line. He did not feel that there was political discrimination behind the budget as it gave a fair deal to West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

He contended that if, as the Finance Minister's statement indicated, the Chief Minister did not hold any pre-budget discussion with the Railway Minister which his counterparts of other States did, it was an unfortunate and serious lapse on the part of the State Government. He asked the Government not to repeat it. He offered his unstinted support to any step which the Government took to get a fair deal for the State. He described the united protest of MPs of Kerala against the budget as inspiring. He lauded them for it.

The Finance Minister lauded the Kerala MPs for bringing the neglect of the State in the Railway Budget to national attention by holding a demonstration before Parliament. He stressed the need for building up a strong protest against the discrimination against and cruel neglect of the State both within and outside Parliament. He called for united action above party lines to protect the State's interests. He expressed the hope that the first session of the new millennium of the Assembly would become the forum for such an unity.

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