THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even ten years after Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam prescribed a five-year vision for the state, only a few projects could be accomplished, Neera being the major one.
Though an action plan with Rs 13,495-crore outlay was announced for implementing the Vision, no impressive progress could be made yet owing to change in political leaderships and lack of follow-up.
Development of tourism; inland waterways; deep-sea fishing; value addition of tea, coffee, spices, coconut and fruits; exclusive economic zone to attract investment from NRIs; creating a pool of trained nurses; and use of space technology for development were the highlights of Vision 2005. Mr Kalam prescribed the vision while addressing the state Assembly on July 28, 2005, exactly ten years back, while he was serving as President.
“We had done something, but lot more could have been done," said Planning Board member G. Vijayaraghavan. Developments in tourism and inland waterways, value addition of tea and Neera are some contributions. In the case of nursing training, we had been doing well till recently when the nursing sector suffered a setback due to wage issues and strikes, said Mr Vijayraghavan.
Neera, which is gradually catching up in the state after overcoming many hurdles, has been highlighted by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy as one of the projects prescribed by Dr Kalam's Vision 2010.
The Oommen Chandy-led government in 2005 had identified a set of projects on the basis of the vision and announced an action plan with an outlay of Rs 13,495 crore for implementation.
"The programmes could not be effectively followed up in the years that followed owing to the change in governance," said a senior government official.
With the sudden demise of Kalam, the government may give some fresh impetus to his visions, government sources said.
