Date:08/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/08/stories/2006040813920400.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Achuthanandan will destroy service sector: Chandy

Staff Reporter

Says UDF will ensure jobs for all qualified jobless youth

ALAPPUZHA: Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan is planning to implement his destructive policy, known as `Vettinirathal,' implemented in the agriculture sector of Kuttanad earlier, in industrial and service sectors in the State, alleged Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Friday.

Development agenda

Inaugurating an election convention of the United Democratic Front candidate in Kuttanad, Thomas Chandy, at Edathua, he said the voters should decide if the industrial and service sectors in the State should be allowed to be devastated in the next five years.

The coming Assembly elections would be a watershed in the history of the State, as it would decide whether the State would go in the way of development or not.

He said thousands of Keralite youth were living in pathetic conditions in labour camps in West Asia, and various political fronts that ruled the State could not escape blame for forcing them go to alien countries in search of jobs.

The Chief Minister said a large section of the youth in the State was educated and professionally qualified, and the Government should be able to provide jobs to them. He said the UDF would ensure that all qualified jobless youth got jobs if returned to power.

Mr. Chandy said a project for development of Vizhinjam port in Thiruvananthapuram had the potential to create several lakh job opportunities.

Kerala, praised by economists the world over for its development in education and health sectors, had the potential to become a model to other States in overall economic development also.

He said the UDF was keen to continue welfare measures for the poor and downtrodden, along with the implementation of development projects.

The front considered the issue of shortage of drinking water in Kuttanad the most serious problem in the region and would accord due importance to its solution if returned to power.

Thomas Chandy and leaders of various UDF constituents spoke. The Chief Minister addressed election meetings at Charummood, Mavelikkara, Kayamkulam and Mararikkulam also.