Thiruvananthapuram: The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to set up fully government owned Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for scaling up facilities for devotees in Sabarimala, Pamba, Nilakkal and other transit points besides developing the infrastructure facilities as per Sabarimala Master Plan.
The decision to form the non profit SPV has been taken for the time bound implementation of Sabarimala development projects. These projects are to be implemented by utilising the funds set aside in annual Budget and KIIFB.
The SPV will have chief secretary as chairman and a governing body comprising department secretaries. Travancore Devaswom Board commissioner will be convener of the governing body.
Implementation committee has also been constituted with Devaswom Principal Secretary as chairman and devaswom board commissioner as convener.
In the 2019-20 budget, Rs 739 crore has been set aside for various development projects. With eight months left for the Sabarimala season, the government is keen on speeding up the implementation of projects. The special company has been constituted with the objective of taking up the projects on a priority basis and completing them in a time bound manner. The government will ensure that all development activities that take place are environment friendly, especially in an ecologically sensitive area like Sabarimala hills.
PR, municipal body change
Cabinet decided to amend Kerala Panchayat Raj Act and Municipality Act vesting powers with the government to acquire land owned by local bodies for implementing modern and scientific waste management projects. The Cabinet recommended Governor to bring the amendments by way of an ordinance.
Industries principal secretary Dr K Elangovan has been given additional charge of port department. He will continue to have all other additional responsibilities.
New Postings
B. Ashok who returned from Central deputation was posted as new power secretary.
Dr A.P. Kuttikrishnan who is currently posted as the State Project Director of Sarva Shik-sha Abhiyan, will be reappointed as State Project director of Samagra Shiksha Abh-iyan.
