Kerala to press Union Govt for increased central investments

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 14 (UNI) Kerala will continue to mount pressure on the Centre to get increased Central investment in the State, Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem told the State Assembly today.

Replying to a Calling Attention motion by Mr T P Kunhunni (CPI-M), he said Central investment in the state stood at Rs 16,828 crore at the end of March 2005, which was only 2.59 per cent of the all-India average.

A ministerial delegation led by the Chief Minister had met the Prime Minister and other Central Ministers recently and requested for increased Central investment, he informed.

Replying to another Calling Attention by Mr V D Satheesan (Cong), Health Minister P K Sreemathi said Prevention of Food Adulteration Act would be strictly enforced in the context of reports about toxic contents in essential commodities, fruits and vegetables.

She said besides three regional laboratories, mobile laboratories were also functioning to check food adulteration.

Responding to a submission by Mr K Mohammedunni Haji (IUML), Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said development work costing Rs 100 crore was under implementation at the Karipur airport since it was declared as an international airport.

The request of the Airport Authority of India to make available 162 acres of land more for development work was under the consideration of the government, he added.

Local Administration Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty told Mr M Murali (Cong) that clearance of the Finance Ministry was awaited for implementation of pay revision for municipal contingency workers.

UNI