The Hindu : NSS garners Rs. 985 crores

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 02, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

NSS garners Rs. 985 crores

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Feb. 1. The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, has said that the State Government has succeeded in achieving 54 per cent (Rs. 985 crores) of the Rs. 1,825 crores, set as target under the National Savings Scheme (NSS).

The Chief Minister said this at the Collectors' conference convened here today.

Mr. Antony wanted the District Collectors to launch an intensive drive to achieve the targets set for the current year, especially in the context of the attraction the national savings schemes had when compared to bank deposits which carried lower interest rates. He said the Government would give incentives for targets achieved. Those districts, which exceed 75 per cent of the target set for them, would be eligible for a jeep for each Rs 5 crores they mobilise. The District Collectors whose achievements are above 100 per cent would be specially rewarded.

The Chief Minister also evaluated the `food-for-work programme' being implemented in the plantation and tribal sectors. He wanted the Collectors to closely monitor the programme with a view to preventing starvation deaths. He also referred to the need to concentrate more on the tribal land resettlement under the Tribal Mission, not to mention the implementation of housing, drinking water and electricity projects meant for their upliftment.

The Chief Minister said that it would be possible to issue 20 certificates, including birth, caste and income certificates, under the new computerised facility being installed in the district as part of the `good governance' programme. He said Collectors should implement this programme, which was intended to bring in efficiency, transparency and speed in Government functioning. He also wanted the Collectors to initiate steps to train officials in offices where computers have been installed.

Mr. Antony said the Government was looking forward to the full cooperation of the Collectors in implementing the `Clean Kerala' project, which was assuming importance in the context of the industrial progress that is expected to take place as a result of huge investments in tourism and industry.

CM's relief fund

The Chief Minister also said the State Government would release funds to those who had sought assistance under the Chief Minister's Relief Fund this month itself. The funds for the relief fund had been mobilised under the Akshaya lottery scheme. He said a large number of people were waiting for assistance under the relief fund and the District Collectors would be responsible for the proper handling of the applications.

The meeting was attended by the Finance Minister, K. Sankaranarayanan, the Revenue Minister, K.M. Mani, the Chief Secretary, N. Chandrasekharan Nair, and other Government officials.

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