Be in Thiruvananthapuram 5 days a week, CM Pinarayi Vijayan to ministers

Thiruvananthapuram: Close on the heels of the unprecedented development of calling off of the special cabinet on Friday for want of quorum as 12 of the 19 ministers stayed away, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday asked all ministers to ensure their presence in the capital five days a week. A section of ministers opposed the directive pointing out the practical difficulties in complying with it.

They said it might not be feasible because of their engagements in different districts and requirements in their constituencies. The ministers, particularly those belonging to the CPI, referred to department functions scheduled in districts which cannot be shifted to the capital because of logistics issues. Moreover, many of these functions are related to respective districts and requires the involvement of officials and elected representatives at the local level.

The ministers are also expected to visit their respective Assembly segments to review the implementation of various development activities, hear grievances of voters and take measures. Despite their reservations, Mr Vijayan remained firm on his directive. He asked them to seek prior permission for attending programmes outside.