Local bodies' functioning to be streamlined

By Our Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE, JUNE 8. The Minister for Local Administration, Mr. Cherkalam Abdullah, has asserted that all efforts would be made to streamline the working of local self-government institutions. He has said that as a first step, experts committees would be disbanded immediately, and foolproof audit organised on an immediate basis. As for funds for the local government bodies, efforts would be made to mobilise resources through financial institutions. In fact, the White Paper on the State's financial situation would soon be out.

Mr. Abdullah was speaking at a `Meet-the-Press' programme organised by the Kozhikode Press Club here today.

Mr. Abdullah asserted that a reshuffling of the police personnel was very much on the anvil considering their functioning in the backdrop of the trouble in Kasaragod.

The Minister said that the People's Plan Campaign would be carried forward in a comprehensive way with special emphasis on poverty alleviation through the `Kudumbasree' scheme in all the 261 panchayats. The scheme was in operation only in Malappuram now. Projects would be started for self-employment schemes for women in traditional sectors. In the area of urban development, steps for a comprehensive scheme were being initiated.

Introduction of computerisation at the local government institutions was another step being planned. The scheme for the economically weaker sections now in operation in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram would be extended to other districts too.

A major endeavour would be to provide housing loans to regular and contingency employees of Corporations and municipalities at 13.5 per cent interest. The loans would be payable over a period of 15 years in easy installments recovered from the salary. The housing scheme would be inaugurated in Kasaragod shortly.

Mr. Abdullah said that the Kerala Institute for Local Administration (KILA) would be made a model institution for training all cadres of Government personnel. Other ventures planned included implementation of drinking water schemes, especially in places such as Kasaragod and Kochi which were the worst-affected, besides schemes for improving city sanitation.

The road network to the Nedumbassery Airport will be improved under a GCDA project. Besides, the work on the Kozhikode stadium would be taken up on an urgent basis.

On the violence in Kasaragod during the welcome meeting organised for him recently, the Minister was of the view that the CPI(M) activists had taken law into their own hands. He alleged that it was a planned attack. The police force present was not sufficient either, he said.

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