Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan Scheduled to Meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Next Week
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Synopsis
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is set to meet with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman next week amid the state's dire financial situation. The meeting will address various pressing issues, including relief for landslide-hit Wayanad and demands from Asha workers.
Key Takeaways
- Kerala CM Vijayan to meet Finance Minister next week.
- Discussion on financial aid for Wayanad's rehabilitation.
- Asha workers' protest for higher wages ongoing for 26 days.
- Former Union Minister K.V. Thomas facilitating state-Centre communication.
- State seeks extension for utilizing sanctioned funds.
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 7 (NationPress) In light of the severely challenging financial circumstances facing Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is poised to meet with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday.
This information was revealed by former Congress member and Union Minister K.V. Thomas, who has aligned himself with the CPI-M-led Left after leaving the party. With extensive experience at the Centre, he currently serves as the state representative in Delhi, facilitating communication between the Centre and the state.
On Friday, Thomas, who has the rank of a state cabinet minister, conferred with Sitharaman in anticipation of Vijayan's formal meeting with her.
Among other topics, Vijayan plans to address the special package requested for the landslide-affected Wayanad, along with the plight of the Asha workers, whose protest for increased wages has persisted for 26 days as of Friday.
However, Thomas became visibly frustrated during a media interaction in Delhi when queried repeatedly about the actions taken by Vijayan’s administration to resolve the ongoing Asha workers’ protest.
"There are various issues at hand, not solely the Asha workers’ protest," a visibly irritated Thomas remarked as he departed.
Notably, pressure is intensifying on Vijayan regarding the Centre's actions for the reconstruction of Wayanad, which was devastated by a landslide on July 30 of the previous year, resulting in the destruction of four villages and the loss of 254 lives.
While the Vijayan administration anticipated a rehabilitation fund of Rs 2,500 crore, the Centre informed the state Finance Department on February 14 that it had approved a loan of Rs 529.50 crore for various rehabilitation initiatives in the landslide-affected regions. However, the Centre emphasized that this amount must be utilized by March 31.
During his forthcoming meeting with Sitharaman, Vijayan will request an extension for utilizing the allocated funds and will also seek a grant as assured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had advised the state government to prepare a detailed memorandum during his visit to Wayanad shortly after the disaster.
