New Kerala MP Cell in Delhi

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 3 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today said an MP Cell would be opened at Kerala House in Delhi.

Addressing a conference of the MPs from the state, he said functioning of the Cell would begin before the budget session of Parliament.

Mr Achuthanandan said the MPs should put pressure on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to get the projects like the IIT, Science Institute, Aqua Technology Park at Kochi and the Kannur Airport sanctioned.

Pointing out that many Central projects could not be implemented in the state because of environmental issues, he suggested that the members from the state should bring thes to the notice of the Centre.

The Chief Minister also suggested that they should unitedly pressure the Centre against its policy of cutting down the quota of sugar, wheat and kerosene to the state.

While experiencing acute shortage of cooking gas, the move of reducing its subsidy would invite serious consequences, he pointed out.

Though Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav had assured that the Centre would protect the interests of the state while bifurcating the Palakkad Railway Division for creating Salem Division, he said the members should take sincere efforts in this regard.

UNI