Kerala will prepare detailed roadmaps for implementing the flagship development projects announced in the state Budget and bring them on track within two years, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said on Wednesday.
Inaugurating the three-day ‘Reimagining Kerala Round Table Conference’ here, CM Satheesan said the exercise was aimed at translating the government’s Budget announcements into concrete development projects through time-bound and efficient implementation.
“The projects will be given a clear shape within six months and brought on track within two years,” he said. CM Satheesan said the success of the government should not be measured by the number of projects announced but by how many were implemented with quality and within the stipulated time.
The state, he said, could not remain complacent about the past achievements of the Kerala model and had to equip itself to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. The government would seek to transform Kerala from a remittance-based economy into an investment-driven economy, he said.
The state should aim to attract not only large investments running into crores of rupees but also smaller investments starting from Rs one lakh. To create a more investment-friendly environment, the government would amend 19 laws, CM Satheesan said.
The Chief Minister said a review had found that several government departments had not been making full use of funds available under Central government schemes. The government would ensure that Kerala secured its eligible share from all such schemes, he said.
The functioning of government institutions, including the State Planning Board, would also be reorganised by moving away from traditional approaches to planning and implementation, the Chief Minister said. The Round Table Conference has brought together experts, researchers, academics, technology institutions, investors, financial institutions, startups, public sector organisations and members of the diaspora to work on development projects involving 16 departments.
The discussions are aimed at examining project implementation, planning and interdepartmental coordination and preparing roadmaps based on inputs from stakeholders. Industries, IT and AI Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said removing obstacles to investment across sectors was one of the principal objectives of the conference.