Thiruvananthapuram: The 15th Kerala Assembly's 13th session officially began here on Friday morning, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar delivering his policy address. This marks the beginning of the Assembly’s proceedings in the coming weeks.
During the policy address, the Governor emphasized that the government remains committed to its goal of building 'Nava Keralam.' According to him, this vision will be supported by the development of high-quality physical infrastructure, a knowledge-based economy, and improvements in education and healthcare. "With limited resources at hand, we are doing our best to achieve the goals of providing guaranteed housing for all and eradicating extreme poverty," he said.
Also Read
The Governor also stated that Kerala’s development path has attracted the attention of scholars worldwide. “Our achievements have been widely acclaimed both within the country and abroad,” he said. “However, my government is focused on addressing the remaining challenges and working towards their resolution,” he added.
The Governor focused on key initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life in Kerala, including:
- Right to secure housing will be made a reality in the state.
- Elimination of landlessness.
- Eradication of extreme poverty.
- Sustainable management of solid waste.
- Identification of individuals with palliative care needs and provision of necessary services.
The Governor also highlighted that Kerala’s achievements in school and higher education have been recognized by both the Union Government and international organizations. “My government aims for inclusivity and quality in education. In the higher education sector, we focus on skill development, enhancing connectivity between educational institutions and industries, enabling students to become entrepreneurs, and revisiting curricula to meet modern needs,” he said.
The Governor emphasised several key areas of focus, including the development of both social and physical infrastructure. He highlighted the state's proactive role in achieving social justice and reiterated the government’s full commitment to upholding the constitutional values of democracy, secularism, socialism, and federalism. The Governor also mentioned special initiatives aimed at fulfilling the state's goals and commitments, such as making government services available online to the public and addressing any issues that require attention. Additionally, he stressed the importance of eliminating the digital divide in society and taking serious steps to ensure internet access for all.
The Governor praised several key achievements, including the state’s success in attracting investment and improving transportation. He also highlighted Kerala’s effective disaster management response, noting the handling of the 2018 and 2019 floods, Cyclone Ockhi, and the Meppadi landslide. The state's crisis response has received global recognition for its effectiveness. The Governor further announced that a new township will be completed within a year, contributing to the vision of a disaster-resilient Kerala. He emphasised that, with the support of the Union Government, Kerala will tackle the impacts of climate change. The Governor also acknowledged conscious efforts to revitalise the agriculture sector in an environmentally friendly manner, which is contributing to the state’s accelerated economic growth.
Published: 17 Jan 2025, 09:09 am IST
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.