On day 100, Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet decides to build 4 lakh homes for homeless

The LDF government led by Pinarayi Vijayan completed 100 days in office on Thursday. As part of celebrations, the government has decided to launch 'Home for all,' an ambitious scheme aimed at building four lakh houses for the homeless. 

 

The government is planning to provide houses for the homeless and those who live in shacks in plantation and fishing sectors. People living in dilapidated houses and those who possess land but no home will also be given priority. Flats will be built at places where land availability is less.  

 

Projects on cards: 

• Home for all: 4 lakh houses for the homeless. Priority to people living in plantation and fishing sector
• Haritha Keralam: project to integrate organic farming and waste management.
• Plan to strengthen public distribution system.

 

The CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) came to power in Kerala with a thumping majority of 91 seats out of the total 140 seats, ousting the Congress-led UDF government. 

 

The period marked a change in the functioning of the government beginning from the state secretariat, the administrative headquarters. The Chief Minister took initiatives to ensure discipline and order in the functioning of government and instructed the ministers to be present in their offices five days a week. He also insisted that secretariat staff to stay put in office during office hours, to limit the use of mobile phones in office and to give priority to solving the grievances of public.   

 

Major achievements in 100 days: 

• Reopened 30 public sector cashew factories that were closed down a year back.
• Rs. 3500 crore for pension schemes.
• Brought major development projects Vizhinjam port and Kochi Metro on track.
• Expedited the much-delayed national highway development project and the implementation of GAIL pipeline project. 

 

But the 100-days also witnessed a few embarrassing controversies. The legal advisor to the Kerala Chief Minister had an unceremonious exit after he appeared in the High Court for shady businessman Santiago Martin. Even though Pinarayi Vijayan tried to justify his advisor, the legal expert had to quit after the BJP dragged the issue into Kerala High Court.
 

Also read: Honeymoon jolt: Kerala CM's controversial legal adviser quits
 

The law amendment to ‘rehabilitate’ veteran CPM leader VS Achuthanandan as the Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission also drew flak.

Also read: Kerala CM cancels customary press briefing, says he is no PRO
 

The Chief Minister’s decision to stop the routine press briefing after the weekly cabinet meetings also came under sharp criticism. The government’s initial reluctance to share the details of cabinet decisions through RTI also kicked up a row.