Kottayam: Union Minister Suresh Gopi has said that a Central-level Devaswom Board will be established. He was speaking at a Kalunk (Culvert) Sabha held on Tuesday at the altar of Pala Mevada Purakkatt Devi Temple.

“With a Central-level Devaswom Board, all temples across the country will function in a unified manner. After the success of Operation Sindoor, Amit Shah had spoken of the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code. We firmly believe in that too,” Suresh Gopi stated.

He also stressed the need for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala, noting that it would change the state’s future. “If AIIMS comes, it will be Kerala’s turning point. If I cannot ensure it, I will not come back to seek votes. For this, the state government must cooperate. I personally told the Chief Minister at Cliff House to allocate land in Alappuzha. If he accompanies me by helicopter, I can show 300 acres of Udaya Studio land along with another 300 acres nearby. AIIMS here will benefit neighbouring districts as well, and also boost tourism in Kumarakom. People travelling from Kottayam to Madurai via Kumarakom too will gain from it,” he said.

The Minister also addressed 10 pre-registered public grievances one by one. Responding to a ward member who pointed out that construction on the Pala Poovarani PHC road had stalled as contractors had not taken up the work, Suresh Gopi said: “If it is under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, then I will take responsibility for this complaint.” He assured that the issue would be discussed at the Nisha Meeting scheduled in Thrissur on September 26.

Rubber farmers highlighted that 1.25 lakh hectares of rubber plantations in Kerala were not being tapped. They sought government support to secure carbon credits for rubber and enhance its agricultural value. For a detailed response, the Minister sought the assistance of N Hari, a Rubber Board member present at the meeting. He also assured that the matter would be taken up with Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

The Kalunk Sabha was organised under the leadership of BJP Kottayam West district president Lijinlal, state vice-president Shone George, area president N Hari, district general secretaries Lalkrishna and N K Sasikumar, district secretary Sudeep, district vice-president Bineesh, and constituency president Aneesh. This was the first Kalunk Samvad held outside Thrissur district.