New Delhi: Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday made his first official visit to New Delhi after assuming office, holding crucial discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the state’s worsening financial condition, pending projects and the state’s future development roadmap.
Addressing the media after the meetings, Satheesan said the Centre was briefed about Kerala’s priorities and the need for support for the state’s dream projects and long-term rebuilding plans.
Saying that Kerala was passing through a severe financial crisis, the Chief Minister, however, avoided elaborating on the issue, saying the government’s white paper on the state’s finances would be released on June 1.
He said the state government had already initiated steps to prepare the document, which is expected to present the actual fiscal condition inherited by the new Congress-led UDF administration.
Satheesan said the state would first place its major infrastructure and development projects before the upcoming state budget and later formally take them up with the Centre.
He also sought greater flexibility from the Union government for state borrowings and requested intervention to ease restrictions affecting Kerala’s financial mobilisation.
“We have briefed the Centre about our vision for building a new Kerala,” the Chief Minister said, adding that all departments would soon be directed to conduct a comprehensive check of funds due from the Centre and the utilisation status of what has been received,” Satheesan said.
On the controversial PM SHRI scheme agreement signed by the previous Left government, Satheesan added that the new administration was examining the matter.
The Chief Minister also touched upon the suspension of five police personnel attached to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the alleged assault on Youth Congress workers during the Nava Kerala Yatra.
He said the Special Investigation Team had submitted its report and that the first phase of action had already begun, while further action would follow if required.
Satheesan said the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) meeting was expected shortly and the state government would decide the future course after examining its report.
Referring to global tensions in West Asia, the Chief Minister warned that rising oil prices and Kerala’s dependence on Gulf remittances could severely impact the state economy and worsen inflation, which he said was already among the highest in the country.
“All these concerns were placed before the Centre,” Satheesan said, adding that the current visit was largely a courtesy call and that future meetings would focus on specific demands and proposals.
On Wednesday, Satheesan is likely to call on Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
(IANS)
