Centre seeks LDF government's cooperation for development   

Thiruvananthapuram, May 27: The Centre today wanted the newly sworn-in CPI-M led LDF government in Kerala to "cooperate" with them in the area of development and announced a set of multi-crore development projects to the state.

A Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology, Rs 1000 crore-worth Plastic Park, a pharma park and 200 Jan Aushadhi centres were among the projects offered to the state.

Addressing reporters here to highlight the "achievements" of the two-year rule of Modi government, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar said the Centre was ready to set up the establishments in Kerala if the government identifies adequate land.

He also said the BJP-led NDA at the Centre has an advice of three 'Cs' to give to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

"To the new Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, our advice is three 'C's. That is, say no to corruption, say no to criminal politics and say yes to cooperation between the government of Kerala and the Centre on the development of the state and for the well-being of people," he said.

Stating that what the country requires today is 'cooperative federalism' and what people want is economic growth, social security and quality of life, Kumar said the only 'mantra' for this is good governance. Corruption, crime and good governance will not go together.

The two-year rule of Modi government had assured good governance sans corruption and crime, he said. "During the previous UPA rule, there was all scams from 2G and Commonwealth to AgustaWestland," he said.

The Modi government would be with the people of Kerala in "distress" as well as in "development", he said.

"We can set up a Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology, which is equal to IIT, in the state. Whatever location the state government say, we are ready to set up it," he said.

"As the demand for plastic is increasing in all sectors from agriculture to health services, the Centre is ready to set up a plastic park in the state as part of that", he said.

"The Centre is ready to set up a plastic park of Rs 1,000 crore," he said, adding, the government is ready to establish a 'pharma park' also in Kerala which may help the state to become a medical hub.

"We are also ready to open 200 Jan Aushadhi Centres to provide generic medicines at lower rate," he added.

On BJP opening its maiden account in Kerala assembly, he said both UDF and LDF were vehemently telling that they would not allow BJP to enter into the legislature. But the will of Kerala people proved otherwise, he said.

PTI