Redeployment of Govt staff on anvil: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 7 (UNI) Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac today said redeployment of government staff was on anvil.

However, he evaded a direct reply on the number of staff members, who would be redeployed. ''I will disclose all such details in the Assembly in the coming days,'' he told newspersons here.

''Those who have no work at present will have to be shifted to new places where manpower is required.'' Redeployment of government staff was one of the major initiative being planned by the government to streamline administration. The government would also take steps to eradicate corruption.

Referring to the budget for 2008-09 presented yesterday, he said the state's finance would be in good health within three years. ''By the year 2010-11, we will wipe out revenue deficit.'' Rejecting the Opposition's demand for withdrawing the one per cent cess imposed on VAT, Dr Issac said the government would take a series of measures to contain price hike. But wrong policies of the Centre, like the one allowing grain merchants to manipulate the market, had resulted in the unprecedented price hike in all states, he countered.

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