News and Views

House frowns upon lack of accountability, transparency in implementation of the Programme

Kerala Assembly today discussed the report of the Estimates Committee of the House which highlighted the lack of accountability in the implementation of Modernising Government Programme (MGP) funded by Asian Development Bank between 2002 and 2008.

Thiruvananthapuram: Finance Minister T. M. Thomas Isaac said in the Assembly on Wednesday that the hike in stamp duty on partition, gift, release and settlement deeds announced in the revised Budget for the current year would be rolled back.

The duty had been raised from one per cent three per cent.  The extent of reduction of duty and registration fees would be decided at the Subject Committee, the Minister said while piloting the Kerala Finance Bill.

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister for Food and Civil Supplies P. Thilothaman said in the Assembly on Wednesday that the UDF government had deliberately delayed implementation of the Food Security Act in the State.

Kerala government proposes to bring a new industrial policy, to simplify procedures for starting new industries and bring all important mining operations under the public sector.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced these while replying to the debate on the demand for grants for Industries in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan said here on Tuesday that the government viewed the operation of goondas and quotation gangs in the State very seriously.

Responding to a notice for moving an adjournment motion from P. T. Thomas (Congress) to discuss growing threats from nexus among goondas, politicians and police officials, said that the government would be dealing strongly with goondas. However, there was no evidence about goonda-police nexus.