Top

Ramesh Chennithala, Oommen Chandy spat over ‘growth’

Home min flays Kerala model; Oommen Chandy refutes it.

New Delhi: Kerala home minister Ramesh Chennithala and chief minister Oommen Chandy were on Thursday engaged in a public spat here when Chennithala criticised the development model of his own government in the state. The two Congress leaders belonging to rival groups were participating in a seminar on ‘Kerala’s growth and equity: the way forward,’ when Chennithala made the remarks.

“Kerala development model has lost its sheen and lost its colour. The new generation wants a different Kerala development model,” Chennithala said in the presence of dignitaries, including the Prime Minister's advisor T.K.A. Nair, former cabinet secretary and state Planning Board vice-chairman K.M. Chandrasekhar.

“When we are talking about mega projects, when we are talking about big investment, the prime concern should be the poor and vulnerable sections of society,” said Chennithala.

However, Chandy dismissed his views and said, “the Kerala model of growth is widely appreciated by all, including Nobel laureate Amartya Sen. Even though we are facing new generation problems, going by the achievements in education, macro economy, agriculture, consumer market and investment over the last year, Kerala emerges as the most improved state,” he said.

“We have taken care to distribute the fruits of development to all sections of society and are specifically implementing policies to help and assist the weaker sections, differently-abled sections and those sidelined so far,” the chief minister said.

( Source : PTI )
Next Story