HANICAPPED TO GET FREE 3-WHEELERS

HANICAPPED TO GET FREE 3-WHEELERS

The state cabinet has decided to provide motorized three-wheeler scooters to the handicapped free of cost. The cabinet has entrusted the task of submitting a project report in this regard with panchayat minister M K Muneer.Chief minister Oommen Chandy, who briefed reporters after the cabinet meeting, said the government would soon prepare a list of people eligible for this. The project will be implemented with the support of the Centre and state governments."The Centre has initiated a project for providing wheelchairs to the handicapped in the country. The state government's initiative will be a novel one," he said.The chief minister said the government would make appointments to the 1,039 posts reserved for the handicapped within six months. It has also issued necessary directions to all public sector undertakings that the posts reserved for the handicapped should be filled up within six months.

A cabinet subcommittee has been formed to scrutinize complaints regarding 'fair value' fixed for land. The committee will have ministers K M Mani, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, M K Muneer, P K Kunhalikutty, Aryadan Mohammad and K B Ganesh Kumar as its members. Chandy said the government's ultimate aim was to fix the 'fair value' without causing any revenue loss to the state. "However, there have been widespread complaints in the mass contact programme regarding 'fair value'. Hence the government has decided to appoint a sub-committee to verify these complaints," he said.Cable car in two districts: Finance minister K M Mani said that the Personal Rapid Transit Project would be implemented this year itself in Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam. Under this project, cable cars, each with a seating capacity of six, would be introduced.He said in a statement that the proposed air strips and cable cars would bring in a revolution in the transport sector in the state. Air strips would be commissioned first in Kollam and Kottayam.The government had also decided to sanction Rs10 lakh for the mobility hub to be set up at Kodimatha in Kottayam. Several agencies have evinced interest in undertaking up the project through the 'expression of interest' invited by the state government. The district collector has been asked to select the suitable agency to implement the project.

                                                             Prof. John Kurakar