KASARAGOD
For Kerala, which was hit by the COVID-19 outbreak and floods, the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan was crucial, said Jiju P. Alex, member of the State Planning Commission.
Speaking at a special District Planning Committee meeting held here to present the development vision and ideas that can be implemented by various departments in collaboration with the local bodies for the implementation of the 14th Five Year Plan, Mr. Alex said that the development model of Kerala would be based on what was achieved in the 14th Plan.
He said people working in the unorganised sector had lost their jobs in the past two years. There was a loss of income for many, including small business owners and traders. The consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak was that many had suffered financial losses, which could not be met even after four or five years, he said.
He said the main objective of the 14th plan was economic recovery. The growth in all sectors must be achieved. Production and productivity in the agricultural sector should be increased. There should be more jobs related to it. There should be more capital investment. Growth should be achieved in all sectors, including dairy, animal husbandry, fisheries, small scale industries and arts and culture, he said.
Mr. Alex said that the Local Self Government (LSG) should prioritise activities such as job creation, productive growth, sustainable development and combating climate change.
There should be a plan to create jobs in each sector. LSGs should be responsible for the implementation of the scheme, he said, adding that available resources should be used efficiently.
District Industrial Centre general manager K. Sajith Kumar, Principal Agricultural Officer R. Veenarani, Sanitation Mission district coordinator A. Lakshmi, District Deputy Director of Education K.V. Pushpa, District Scheduled Caste Development Officer S. Meena Rani and District Scheduled Tribes Development Officer M.G. Mallika presented development ideas.
District Panchayat President P. Baby Balakrishnan presided over the function. District Planning Committee members Shanavas Padur and S.N. Saritha spoke.
