A new mantra for wealth creation - Old.kerala.gov.in - Government of ...

Department of
Public Relations
Government of Kerala
Volume 1 Number 1
A new mantra for
wealth creation
Kerala’s biggest IT event, IT Kerala
2002 kicked off to a grand beginning at
Thiruvananthapuram Technopark’s
latest facility Bhavani. Mr.S.M. Krishna,
Chief Minister of Karnataka on first
August inaugurated the event. Mr.A.K.
Antony, Chief Minister, Mr.P.K.
Kunhalikutty, Minister for IT; Mr.V.S.
Achuthanandan, Leader of Opposition,
Prof.J. Chandra, Mayor,
Thiruvananthapuram Corporation
were present at the
ceremony.
Inaugurating the event,
Mr.S.M. Krishna said that
wealth creation was imperative
for equitable distribution of the same.
This creation and distribution process
will go towards alleviating the plight of
the downtrodden. The IT/ITES industry
has set this process of wealth creation in
motion. Kerala has already initiated a
number of steps to attract investments
in this regarda. “I have no doubt that
Kerala will make great progress in the
knowledge-based sector. With its
exuberant and educated youth power
having found a channel to achieve their
career aspirations, Kerala should soon
emerge as a strong social-economic
entity”, Mr. Krishna said.
Mr.A.K. Antony said that the event
is being organized against the backdrop
of Kerala’s endeavour to become a front
line IT state in the next 5 years. “The
State Government has launched an
intensive drive in pursuit of
this objective; and we are
confident that consequent to
the recent measures initiated
in this sector Kerala will
emerge as an attractive destination
for the IT entrepreneurs in
future”, he said.
“The basic thrust of our IT policy
and development initiatives launched
last year is to aggressively dispel the
residual perception of the past about the
State Governments friendliness with the
private sector. Now Kerala is open for
business and I am indeed happy to note
the encouraging response of the investor
community to these foregoing
initiatives”, Mr. Antony added.
Karnataka Chief Minister Mr.S.M. Krishna inaugurates IT Kerala 2002 at Technopark. Kerala Chief
Minister Mr.A.K. Antony, Industries Minister Mr.P.K. Kunhalikkutty, Opposition leader Mr.V.S.
Achuthanandan, Mayor Prof.J. Chandra and M.A. Vahid MLA are also seen.
News Letter
October 2002
If we are to make progress, we must not
repeat history but, make new history.
Mahatma Gandhi
A channel for
better relations
M.M. Hassan
Minister for Information
and Parliamentary Affairs
Government’s efforts to lead the
State on the path of development
would become fruitful only with the
active participation and full cooperation
of the people. A two-way
process of communication is essential
for such an involvement in which a
transparent Government and
informed citizens assume the everrotating
roles of the benefactor and the
beneficiary. In this symbiotic process,
the channel of communication
performs the duty of informing the
citizens, a bounden duty by itself,
while both the Government and the
governed come out stronger with the
exchange of ideas.
I am happy to note that the
Department of Public Relations is
launching a newsletter called ‘Kerala
Interface’ with this endeavour in view.
I have no doubt that this venture will
succeed admirably in service as an
effective channel of communication
between the Government and the
Public.
I wish the newsletter every success
and usefulness..
October 2002

2
Kerala Interface
www.prd.kerala.gov.in
October 2002
‘Kerala Interface’, this latest
offering from Public Relations
Department, signifies a departure-from
past approaches,
paradigms and styles. With the
introduction of a monthly news
letter, we hope to bring the
excitement and vibrancy of
contemporary Kerala to you.
Topical, ‘newsy’ and quality
conscious, ‘Interface’ will seek
to reinforce the relationship of
government with stakeholders,
opinion makers and leaders of
civic society.
‘Interface’ is also the reflection
of a resurgent Kerala - with
significant and path breaking
policy initiatives, notably in the
fields of Information Technology,
Industry, Tourism, Education
and Labour, the present
Government is striving to put
the state on a fast track to
development, in tune with the
aspirations of the people.
‘Interface’ will attempt to
mirror this transformation, of a
state leapfrogging into the
future, on the wings of dynamic
initiatives, visionary policies
and enlightened governance.
To make interface more
meaningful and relevant, we
invite the comments and opinions
of our esteemed readers.
Dr.Venu.V, IAS
Editor-in-Chief
Editor
K. Santhosh Kumar
Photo
P. Sasidharan Nair
Lay out
M. Gopu
Type setting
R. Ratheesh Kumar
Phone : 0471 - 518868
E- mail : dir@prd.kerala.gov.in
Address:
Kerala Interface
Public Relations Dept.,
Secretariat Annexe,
Thiruvananthapuram-1
Talking about the event, Mr.P.K.
Kunhalikutty said, “IT Kerala 2002 has been
conceived as an expression of Kerala’s
commitment and resolve to promote IT as
the key platform for the development of
the State. It is an indicator of the
significantly enhanced presence that Kerala
has acquired in the IT map of the region,
that this event has growth three fold in just
two years.”
“IT Kerala 2002 marks the culmination
of the first phase of the series of ambitious
policy and development initiatives that have
been taken by the State Government to
establish Kerala as a significant IT player in
the region.”
Over one lakh visitors attended the
exhibition in the last four days of the event.
The visitors comprised of people from the IT
Industry, State Government officials, school
and college students and general public. More
than 70 companies had set up stalls at the
exhibition and many of theses exhibitors have
been able to conduct successful business
during the expo. Exciting schemes were
organized by various companies to attract
visitors to their exhibition centers.
The four day IT spectacle concluded with
a valedictory address by Mr. Sikander Bakht,
Governor of Kerala. Mr. Bakht also laid the
foundation for the second phase expansion
scheme and honoured select IT companies
for their excellent contribution towards the
growth of IT in Kerala. Mr.P.K. Kunhalikutty,
Minister for IT, delivered the keynote
address. Mr. Vakkom Purushothaman,
Speaker, Kerala Legislative Assembly,
delivered the presidential address. Mr. Kiran
Karnik, President, NASSCOM, Mr.B.V.
Jagadeesh, CEO, Netscaler and Mr.V.
Krishnamurthy, Chief Secretary, Govt.of
Kerala commended the efforts in making IT
Kerala 2002 a grand success.
More in www.kerala.gov.in
Technopark to tie up with Chinese IT parks
The Technopark, Kerala’s premier electronics software park, would be collaborating
with the Shanghai and Pudong Software Park and the Beijing Shongguancum Software
Park. This would open up the Chinese software market which is as big as that of the U.S.
This was disclosed by Industries Minister, Mr.P.K.Kunhalikutty, who recently lead a
delegation to China.
The International Network for Small Hydro-Power Projects, a UNIDO funded
agency has signed MoU with Kerala Government envisages setting up facilities for
the fabrication of turbines involving an investment of 2.9 million U.S. dollars. Another
MoU envisages setting up manufacturing facility for rubber dams for irrigation and
generation of hydel power in the state.
October 2002

Comprehensive programmes
for IT development
A.K. Antony
While Technopark will continue
to remain our flagship initiative, we
propose to develop Kochi also as a
premier ITES destination. Kochi
today has one of the most advanced
communication infrastructures in the country, and
efforts are underway to further augment and consolidate
this advantage. We are aware that Kerala’s core
competence in IT especially lies in the areas of IT
Enabled Services and Business Process Outsourcing,
where we can leverage the unique strengths of the State,
namely our excellent human resources, advanced
connectivity and productive work environment. The
State Government shall be shortly launching a
comprehensive ITES training and HR programme in
association with leading private sector players. We hope
to provide 50,000 jobs in IT and allied sectors in the next
four years.
Drawing upon Kochi’s significant connectivity and
other advantages, the Kinfra Export Promotion Park at
Kakkanad, Kochi is proposed to be developed to offer a
custom built environment for the ITES industry. The
State Government have decided to earmark Rs.30 crores
in the current year for the first phase of the Park, for
which 100 acres are being set apart. The design and
construction of the Park will conform to the highest
international standards, and a special fast track
mechanism will be set up to ensure its speedy
completion.
Kerala Interface
Kerala a role model
S.M. Krishna
Kerala has already distinguished
itself in the field of health and
education having achieved the
highest literacy rate in the country. It
has become a role model for any state
wanting to achieve 100 per cent literacy. However the
low employment to literacy ratio suggests that much
needs to be done towards channelising this invaluable
resource. I believe, the ITES industry lends itself ideally
to fully exploit the potential of Kerala’s teeming
graduates.
Wealth creation is imperative for equitable
distribution of the same. This wealth creation and
distribution process will go towards alleviating the plight
of the downtrodden. The ITES industry has set this
process of wealth creation in motion.
I am glad to note that Kerala has already initiated a
number of steps to attract investments in this regard.
The power and water tariff in Kerala are among the
lowest in the country. It also has one of the lowest
attrition rate in the country. I have no doubt that Kerala
will make great progress in the knowledge-based sector.
With its exuberant and educated youth power having
found a channel to achieve their career aspirations,
Kerala should soon emerge as a strong socio-economic
entity.
3
The totally in house security, hologram production facility is
capable enough to produce about one more security hologram
per day. This initiative of C-DIT is mainly funded by the Kerala
State Beverages Corporation. C-DIT successfully implemented
the introduction of security holograms in the certificates of the
University of Kerala and the University has already issued about
two thousand high security certificates.
India’s first public sector
holography studio inaugurated
The first holographic studio of the country and
the first public sector security hologram
production facility has begun operation at Centre
for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT)
Thiruvananthapuram. It was inaugurated Mr.K.
Sankaranarayanan, Minister for Finance at the
presence of Mr.M.M. Hassan, Minister for
Information and Parliamentary Affairs.
Finance Minister Mr. K. Sankaranarayan inaugurates the C-DIT holographic
studio. Near to him is Information Minister Mr. M.M. Hassan, Mr. V.
Sivakumar M.P. and Mr. Neelalohithadasan Nadar M.L.A.
October 2002

4
Kerala Interface
E- Governance
Technology for people
Mr. Promod Mahajan exchanges the MoU signed between Government of India and Government of
Kerala to Mr. A.K. Antony Chief Minister. Mr. O. Rjagopal, Union Minister of State for Urban
development, Mr. P.K. Kunjhalikkutty, Minister for IT, can also be seen.
For the first time in India,
Government of Kerala and government
of India has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to promote the
State’s e-governance initiatives. The
MoU was signed on 18th August
between Mr. Chandrasekhar, Joint
Secretary (E-governance) Ministry of
Information and Communication
Technology Government of India and
Mr. Chandrasekharan Nair, Additional
Chief Secretary Government of Kerala in
the presence of Mr. Pramod Mahajan,
Union Minister for IT. Mr.A.K. Antony,
Chief Minister, Mr.O. Rajagopal, Union
Minister of State for Urban Development,
Mr.P.K. Kunhalikkutty, Minister for
Industry and IT and Mr.E. Ahmed, MP.
According to the MoU, Govt. of India
will provide technical assistance to Kerala
to address issues relating to technology,
financing, structuring of specific business
models, process reengineering and
organisational issues that need to be dealt
within the course of implementation of
the identified projects in e-governance. The
Govt. of India will also provide seed
funding through National Institute of
Smart Governance (NISG) to cover the
cost of the technical assistance. The technical
assistance would include decision-making
support that the State Government may
require and formulation of specific rollout
plans for the identified projects.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Pramod
Mahajan, who incidentally is making his
first official visit as Minister for IT to the
State said, Kerala today has taken a very
significant step towards becoming a
leading player in the IT industry. Govt.
of India will give its best assistance to make
Kerala the most favoured IT destination not
just in the country but globally as well.
“I really appreciate the Government
of Kerala for its e-governance
initiatives”, he said.
Mr. Mahajan also said that the Govt.
of India would provide a baggage of
assistance for capacity building within the
State IT Department and other
implementing officers in various
departments to deal with issues
relating to E-governance.
Defining the State Govt's commitment
the Chief Minister Mr. A.K. Antony
said, "The State Government will provide
fast, convenient, accessible secure
Government services in identified areas
through e-governance projects aimed
at covering the entire state."
Speaking at the signing ceremony,
Mr. P K Kunhalikutty said, "I feel
extremely elated today that this MoU
comes in the wake of the NASSCOM's
report on the 'Super 9' Indian ITES
destinations, where Kochi has been
chosen as the second most preferred
ITES destination in India. Such a
commitment for the first time by the
Govt. of India towards any State
reiterates the fact that Kerala is in the
right direction to become a major IT
player ."
l
Kerala Loading and
Unloading Bill passed
The Kerala Assembly has passed the Kerala Loading and
Unloading (Regulation of Wages and Restriction of Unlawful
Practices) Bill. The Bill has been approved by the Governor.
The Bill seeks to check the attimari and other unlawful
practices that are prevalent in the loading and unloading sector
in the State.
The Labour Minister Mr.Babu Divakaran, who piloted the
Bill in the Assembly said that the passing of the Bill was part
of the efforts of the Government to build investor confidence.
According to the Act the minimum punishment for obstruction
and causing of damage to private property is Rs.1,000. The
penalty may extent to a maximum fine of Rs.10,000 or two
years imprisonment or both.
The penalty for other unlawful practices is a minimum
fine of Rs.1,000 to maximum of Rs.5,000.
October 2002

Kerala Interface
IT Policy
5
Info net to save
fishermen
The newly designed FIN (Fisheries Information Network)
in Kerala will play the role of a knight in shining armour to 9.6
lakh fishermen in the state integrating Motorola wireless radio
with Escotel mobile phones for sea rescue. It is for the first time
in India that the wireless radio-cum-cellular integrated
communication system is being used for sea rescue.
In fact, the land phones in the fisheries department’s control
rooms spread over Kerala’s 590 Km coastline have been dropped
in favour of the FIN system. Fishermen have been given long
range walkie talkies free-of-cost. Now the fisheries ministry
can directly monitor the progress of the rescue operation on
hotline from the moment a mid-sea accident is reported till the
end of the operation.
The centralised control station is functioning more
economically as mobile-to-mobile communication is cheaper
when compared to land phone charges, according to marine
enforcement officials. A rough estimate puts the overall savings
to the tune of Rs. 1 crore. And the returns in terms of human life
rescued is much higher.
Kerala’s approach pragmatic and
encouraging: Ratan N.Tata
The Tata group head, Mr.Ratan N. Tata has
described Kerala a very interesting destination. He
appreciated the Government’s approach and
commented it as very pragmatic and encouraging. The Tata group
head said that tourism was very promising in the State and that his
group would be focusing on hotels and spas as well as software.
Mr.Ratan Tata who is also the chairman of VSNL was recently at
Kochi to inaugurate SAFE cable network.
Vyvasaya Keralam in net.
Kerala’s pioneer bilingual industrial maga
zine ‘Vyvasayakerala’ has started its internet
edition. The internet edition contains the full
text of the new Central legislation for SSIS, RBI
guidelines for rehabilitation of sick small scale
industrial units and the executive summary of
the report of the working group on small scale industries for the
10th plan.
More in www.keralaindustry.org
This IT Industry Policy
document endeavours to delineate
a strategy for harnessing the
opportunities and the resources
offered by Information
Technology for the
comprehensive social and
economic development of
the State. This strategy has
been conceived keeping
in view the fact that
Information Technology
constitutes the primary instrument for
facilitating Kerala’s emergence as a leading
knowledge society in the region.
The Kerala Government recognises the potential of the
IT industry to transform the economy of the State.The
Government also realises the need to accelerate the growth
of this industry by offering an incentive package that is simple
to participate in, and that which rewards excellence in
operations, marketing; human resources development, and
process quality.
The incentive scheme seeks to achieve the following
objectives:
1. Attract new IT companies to set up operations in
the State as well as incentivise the existing IT
companies in the State.
2. Reward employment creation in the State.
3. Reward value addition by the IT industry in the
State.
4. Reward acquisition of world-class quality/process
certification by companies within the State.
5. Incentivise the entry of India’s top software
exporters into the State.
6. Incentivise the early setting up of a medium to large
scale (in terms of employment and value) IT
investment in the State.
7. Incentivise premier electronics/ hardware companies to
set up assembly/ supply chain management operations
in the State.
Three international
schools proposed
Three international
schools have been proposed
in the State at Munnar,
Nelliampathy and Wayanad.
Replying to a discussion on
the demands for grants for
the Education Department in the State Assembly, the minister
for Education Mr. Nalakath Soopy said detailed project
reports on these schools were being prepared.
October 2002

6
Kerala Interface
Food for all: pathway to sustainable development
Prof.M.S. Swaminathan, FRS
Many industrialised countries including the United
Kingdom are now shifting their approach from food aid to
enabling countries build sustainable food security systems.
This is because of the growing realisation that agriculture is
not just a food-producing machine, but is the very backbone
of the livelihood and ecological security system in most
developing countries. Hunger is the extreme manifestation
of poverty, since the poor spend over 70 per cent of their
daily earning on food. Food aid can also become a powerful
engine of sustainable econo mic development, as the
experience of the World Food Progra mme in designing foodfor-work
initiatives has shown. In spite of the growing
awareness of the need to accord the highest priority to ending
poverty-induced hunger, progress in achieving
internationally agreed targets has been deplorable.
The growing damage to the ecological foundations
essential for sustainable food security, such as land, water,
biodiversity, forests, and the atmosphere, is leading to
stagnation in yield in Green Revolution areas. Compounding
such problems is the threat of climate change, leading to
potential adverse changes in temperature, precipitation, sea
level and ultraviolet b radiation.
The Punjab-Haryana
region that today serves as
India’s food basket may
become very food insecure in
another 20 years. The indicators used
in measuring sustainability of food security are: land
degradation and salinisation, extent of forest cover, ground
water depletion, and the nature of crop rotation. In all these
parameters, the Punjab and Haryana occupy a low positon.
The rice-wheat rotation has led to the displacement of grain
and fodder legumes capable of enriching soil fertility. What
is now happening is best described as a trend towards land
and water mining and not sustainable farming.
Forewarned is forearmed. What can we do to launch global
agriculture on the pathway of an ever-green revolution,
where advances in crop and farm animal produ ctivity are
not accompanied by either ecological or social harm?
Though our planet is politically divided by frontiers and
concepts of sovereighty, our fates are ecologically
interwined. While ecology and communications unite us,
economics is unfortunately serving as a divisive force. Trade
is becoming free but not fair. Globalisation should be
designed in a ‘win-win’ mode for all and should not result in
creating a large number of losers and some winners. This
can be achieved if we make opportunities for sustainable
livelihoods/employment oppotunities for youth as the
yardstick for measuring the beneficial impact of
globalisation. Jobs for all should be the bottom line of trade
arrangements, including export and import policies. WTO
should subject its agreements to a livelihood impact analysis.
(Excerpts from Prof.C. Karunakaran endowment lecture 2002 delivered at Centre for Earth
Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram) More in www.cessind.org
Fund for project development
The Government of Kerala have decided to rename Non
Resident Keralites Infrastructure Initiative fund as NRK Project
Initiative fund. Along with this the Government ordered some
amendments to its previous order on 25th March 2000.
According to the amendments fund shall be utilized for the
feasibility study of infrastructural, industrial or any other
comercially viable projects to be implemented in the State. The
study should be recommended by atleast one state financial
institution. The maximum amount of the fee payable for a study
will be one per cent of the project cost subject to a maximum of Rs.
5 lakh. The amount that can be sanctioned for NRKPI fund is
only 90% of the fee payable for the study, which can be taken as
project cost. The balance of the fee has to be met by the promoter.
Bhavani @ technopark
The State of the art
Bhavani building with
4,80,000 sq.ft. of built up
office space shall be the
flagship building in the
Technopark Campus at
Thiruvananthapuram.
Mr.Pramod Mahajan, Union Cabinet Minister
inaugurates Bhavani Building.
October 2002

Kerala Interface
7
Empowering women
with micro-credits
By G. Prabhakaran
PALAKKAD, AUG. 5. A silent revolu
tion is taking place in the rural areas of
Kollengode and other areas of Palakkad
where the poorest of rural women are
provided with “collateral free” micro credit
for economically-viable projects that help
in their empowerment.
Inspired by the Gramen Banking System
of Bangladesh, a micro-credit programme
for poverty alleviation “of the poor by the
poor for the poor” implemented by the
Society for Rural Improvement (SRI), a
charitable trust, has given a new life to 2,000
poor rural women and their families during
the last five years of its operation.
During the last five years, the SRI had
expanded its cilentele base from 20 to 2,000
beneficiaries spread over 80 centres of
Kollengode and Vadavannur areas. The
total amount disbursed was Rs. 2 crore. The
Grameen Trust, Bangladesh provided Rs.
20 lakhs as seed capital loan. The SRI was
started by Prabhakar, a professor in the U.S.
Production cost lower
in Kerala
KOCHI, APRIL 8: A Study on the
competitiveness and industrial climate in
the three South Indian States of Karnataka,
Kerala and Tamil Nadu, conducted by the
Centre for Development Studies (CDS),
Thiruvananthapuram, contradicts the
popular perception on the cost of
production in Kerala. The overall cost of
production in Kerala is lower than the other
States.
Ban on plastics
The State Pollution Control Board
(PCB) has banned the use of plastic covers and
sheets to put up banners and festoons in the
state. The PCB pointed out that these nonbiodegradable
objects would clog the gutters,
making them ideal breeding ground for
mosquitoes, and prevent rainwater from
percolating into the soil. Further, cattle
might feed on those materials. The
assistance of the general public, the local
bodies and the police would be sought by
SPCB to enforce the ban.
October 2002
Action
for green
cover
Chief Minister Mr.A.K. Antony inaugurates ‘Haritholsavam
2002’, the Social Forestry Programme at
Thiruvananthapuram. Mr.K. Sudhakaran, Minister for
Forest, Mr. Nalakath Soopy, Minister for Education,
Mr.V. Sivakumar MP are also seen.
Kerala Government has begun a massive social forestry programme
with the help of National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers to retrieve its
green cover. In a people movement with dimensions to make a Guinness
entry, one lakh NSS corps simultaneously planted 1.5 million saplings on
roadsides and public places in the State on August 9.
The major line-up was of fruit-bearing trees like tamarind tree, jack
tree, goosberry plant and mango tree, sandal wood, teak ebony and red
sandal, saplings of flowering and avenue trees were also available. Treeguards
deviating from the conventional concrete, is made of bamboo.To
ensure land availability in public places and highways, blueprints have
been prepared with the help of road maps from the national highway
executive engineers. The roadside land has been visualised with the
intention of being converted to gardens in future.
GIM Kerala: details worked out
The Kerala Cabinet has worked out the details for the Global Investor
Meet proposed to be held in January next year. Government Departments
and Ministers would work on a war-footing in the coming weeks for making
it a success. Various departments are being asked to submit their projects to
the KSIDC. This would later come before the cabinet after detailed
consultations.
In the Cabinet briefing to the Press, Mr.A.K.Antony said that dogmas should
not stand in the way of development. With the Government sanctioning selffinancing
colleges freely, disregarding dogmatic objections, the capitation for
structure in the South has collapsed. Students are now getting plenty of
opportunities to study, he pointed out.
l

Kerala Interface October 2002
K e r a l a E d u c a t i o n G r i d
A novel way of quality learning
Under the aegis of its Department of Higher Education,
the Government of Kerala has taken a major initiative in
establishing an Education Grid across all colleges, universities
and premier institutions of research and development (R&D).
It aims to equip the colleges with necessary IT infrastructure,
network them among themselves and with premier
institutions of R&D. The online assisted programmes planned
to be put in place over the Education Grid enable the
knowledge base, and associated benefits of experience and
expertise to flow from where it is available - the better
institutions, organizations and experts to where it is neededthe
teachers and students in the numerous colleges. The
articulated vision of this project is to provide "Quality
Education to all students irrespective of which college they
are studying, or, where it is located".
Kerala’s appeal to Centre
The following is the gist of the memorandum submitted
to Mr.A.B.Vajpayee, the Prime Minister by
Mr.A.K.Antony, Chief Minister on 12th August 2002.
1. The Prime Minister may kindly direct the Ministry
of Power to allocate 500 MW power from Eastern Region
to Kerala and raise the share of state from the unallocated
power of Southern Region to 100MW.
2. The Prime Minister may issue necessary directions
to sanction Rs.500 crores to the state to undertake urgent
and inevitable relief measures and release the amount
immediately.
3. The Prime Minister may kindly intervene with the
Ministry of Environment & Forests to accord early
clearance for the diversion of 12196.1829 ha. of forest land
for the resettlement of landless tribal families in Kerala.
4. The Prime Minister may kindly call a meeting to the
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of
Power and expedite the sanction of this LNG project at
Kochi.
5. The Prime Minister may intervene with the Ministry
of Shipping to accord early clearance for this project
(Vallarpadam International Container Terminal at Kochi)
as assured in his Kumarakom Package.
6. The Prime Minister may direct the Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare to issue orders establishing the Central
Ayurveda University at Kottakkal as promised by the Prime
Minister and Union Minister for Health and Family
Welfare.
7. The Prime Minister may kindly give necessary
directions to the Ministry of Rural Development to sanction
this project (Special project for Food Security under SGRY)
and release 1,21,752 MTs of rice to the state for free
distribution to the victims of natural calamity.
N. Chandrasekharan Nair new CS
Mr. N. Chandrasekharan Nair has taken over
charge as the new Chief Secretary of Kerala. A 1967
batch IAS Officer, Mr. Nair began his career in the
administrative service from Alappuzha as Assistant
Collector. He had been Secretary and Principal Secretary of various
departments like agriculture, irrigation, higher education, transport,
planning, power and health. He also has the credit of being the Vice-
Chancellor of Kerala and Mahatma Gandhi Universities.
Telephone: 0471- 333147, Fax :327176 E-mail : chiefsecy@kerala.gov.in
Babu Jacob new Additional CS
Mr. Babu Jacob is the new Additional Chief
Secretary of Kerala. He belongs to 1968 batch of
Indian Administrative Service.
Telephone :0471- 327285, Fax : 333526
WHY KERALA ?
Kerala, the progressive land with immense
opportunities for investors, bestows and investor-friendly
environment with well-structured policies and pioneering
initiatives. The world-class infrastructure and the support
make way for successful venture.
Advantage Kerala
v Strategic Location
v Easy Accessibility
v Excellent Communications Network
v Highly Skilled Infrastructure
v World Class Infrastructure
v Total Support
v Extremely Low Operating Costs
v India’s Most Advanced Society
This is what the rest of the world is saying about
Kerala:“Best Performing State”
Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India“One of the 10 exotic
Paradises in the world and one of the 50 ‘must-see’
destinations of the world”National Geographic Traveler
“One of the 10 best sites in India” PC World (about
www.keralatourism.org, the official site of the Department
of Tourism, Kerala)
Kerala has had a commendable record in terms of the
Physical Quality of Life Index. Indicators of PQLI like
infant mortality (13%), female literacy (86%), and life
expectancy at birth for males (69) and females (72), are well
above all India levels. The major reason for this
achievement is Kerala’s focus on the service sector. About
37% of the total annual expenditure of the State is
earmarked for health and education. Another reason for
this is the existence of a larger network of health
infrastructure with 961 primary health centres and 5094
sub centres.
Edited, Published and Printed by The Director, Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala, Thiruvanathapuram.
October 2002