Left gives green signal to ADB loan

Thiruvananathapuram, Feb 22 (UNI) The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala today decided to take the Asian Development Bank loan for urban development in the state.

''The LDF in its meeting today decided to recommend the government to go for the ADB loan after brining in certain changes in the earlier agreement signed between the previous Congress-led United Democratic Front government and the bank,'' LDF convenor Vaikom Vishwam told reporters here.

He also noted that the MoU between the LDF government and the Bank in December should have been been signed only after discussing it in the front. ''The issue should have been discussed in the Front even when the process for the loan was going on,'' he said.

When asked if the earlier protests of the LDF against the ADB loan wen the UDF was in power, Mr Viswam said he LDF had not protested against the loan but only against certain conditions put forward by the ADB. ''After the LDF protested the UDF had to withdraw from the ealier agreement and were forced to make certain changes. We protested against the UDF government's move to impose the loan on the people of the state,'' he said.

On the UDF's clams that no changes were made in the present agreement, he said changes had been made and noted that earlier the ADB officials could have inspected the corporations but with the new change allowed only the ADB official to visit the corporations.

Moreover, the Mayors who did not have any role in the earlier agreement now had some role in the revised agreement. On metering public taps, he said it was a demand which had been raised by the local bodies as they said more money was being paid for the water they use.

When asked if all the LDF constituents had unanimously agreed to it, he said here was no protest from any one.

Another issue that was discussed at the meeting was Liquor policy and it was decided that the Abkari policy of the state should have to be revised. It was also decide to recommend the government not to withdraw the liquor ban. With respect to tourism, the government should go for opening beer parlours in tourist spots.

The toddy shops in the state could be sold to a group of five or six shops, clubbed together to form a group in the same area. The shops could be sold to individuals or coopeative sectors which had performed well in the previous years after a hike in the fee, he said.

There should also be some changes in the issuance of bar license and it should be regularised, he said. Pointing out the government was not for promoting drinking among the people, he said the government should ask the Agricultural university to do research in coming up with non-alcoholic products.

The meeting also launched is strong protest against the move to bifurcate Palakkad railway division and also asked the Centre to retain the division.

UNI