By P. Sreekumaran
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A district-specific plan to tackle disasters in Keralam will be ready in three months. This was announced by Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan after visiting a flash-flood hit T.K. Colony in Malappuram district which claimed five lives. The Chief Minister told newspersons that his government was working to strengthen the State’s disaster management system and develop a model that the country could emulate.
The plan will take into account the specific risks and priorities of each district, he said. “The Government will seek the assistance of NGOs, the Union Government and the research institutions in preparing the plan.
The recent incidents in Nilambur, Idukki and Kottayam had underlined the need for stronger safety measures. Ten people lost their lives in three incidents. It is a serious matter that such accidents occurred without major landslides or flooding, he added.
He also hinted at plans to regulate visitor movement at TK Colony, which is not a formally designated tourist spot. The area had become popular through social media, drawing crowds.
Meanwhile, search operations continued throughout Monday on various stretches of the Korattupuzha river at Amarambalam for a resident of the TK Colony who is missing.
The Keralam Government has issued an order appointing a five-member committee to usher in comprehensive changes in land reforms. This is being done against the backdrop of a long-standing demand of farmers and the announcement made in the State Budget.
The panel, led by former Land Reforms Commissioner AT James, has been asked to reform laws riddled with hurdles. It will re-examine in detail land laws so that outdated and complex laws can be changed in tune with the times.
The reforms are expected to provide security to farmers and rejuvenate the sector.
The State has submitted a proposal to upgrade the Thiruvabharana Patha, the road connecting Pandalam and Pampa that is crucial for the Sabarimala pilgrimage, and to renovate the MG Road, under the PM Gati Shakti Scheme. Public Works Minister P. K. Basheer took up these and other major road projects in the State with the Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari during a meeting in New Delhi.
The Union Government, said the Minister, was ready to sanction additional road development projects for the state.
The Industries Department has given the green signal for changes to the Unified Industrial Land/Building (Allotment & Disposal) Regulations for KINFRA & KSIDC, 2024, enabling optimal utilisation of industrial land, flexibility in permitted industrial activities, facilitation of subleasing and creation of common infrastructural facilities in industrial parks and industrial estates.
A high-level committee chaired by the Union Cabinet Secretary reviewed the land allotment policies of various States and recommended that States devise enabling provisions for optimisation of land use in existing and upcoming industrial clusters. The changes have been made based on these recommendations.
To facilitate optimal use of industrial assets, subleasing will now be permitted subject to certain conditions. The maximum period of any sublease will be 10 years. Renewal of the sublease will require fresh prior written approval of the land allotment agency.
The Kerala University (KU) will discontinue the use of the Kerala Resources for Education Administration and Planning (K-REAP) e-governance software introduced by the previous LDF Government. The LDF Government’s decision was aimed at integrating the activities undertaken by all institutions.
The decision to abandon the enterprise resource planning software has come amid the detection of errors in the results of various examinations. (IPA Service)
