THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The United Democratic Front (UDF) Government has identified industrial development and tsunami rehabilitation as the major challenges faced by it as it enters the fifth year in office.

An official statement released here on Sunday on the eve of the UDF Government's fourth anniversary in power said that the State would be able to reap rich dividends in the coming years on account of the foundation the Government had laid in terms of promoting industrial development. Interestingly, the statement released by Public Relations Department has dwelt at length on the development efforts undertaken after Oommen Chandy assumed office as Chief Minister and mentions in passing the achievements of his predecessor, A.K. Antony.

The statement expressed satisfaction that the UDF Government's efforts to promote development had started showing results. The Global Investor Meet (GIM) became the foundation for industrial development, obliterating the campaign that the State was not investor-friendly.

It said that GIM had given an opportunity to investors to evaluate the factual position with regard to the industrial climate in the State. The Smart City project proposal was an outcome of GIM, it said.

The statement said that the Vallarpadom International Container Transshipment Terminal, the LNG terminal, LNG petrochemical plant, and the special economic zone would change the development topography of the State.

Transparency and efficiency in administrative functioning had been introduced. The Modernisation in Government Programme (MGP), `Sutharya Keralam' and the Chief Minister's mass contact programme had turned out to be popular campaigns, the statement said.

The statement listed the development activities undertaken by various departments, highlighting the `ashraya' project, the Kerala Road Development project, sanctioning of new medical colleges, power connections, housing for fish workers, and computerisation to mention a few.

The statement said that the Government's efforts to reach relief to tsunami victims had become a model for welfare programmes. Financial assistance was provided to the next of kin of those killed by the tsunami. The Government had successfully implemented the rehabilitation package providing houses and implements of livelihood at the shortest possible time, the statement said.

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