പ്രധാനമന്ത്രിക്ക് കേരളത്തിന്റെ 12 ഇന നിവേദനം (നിവേദനത്തിന്റെ പൂര്‍ണരൂപം)

തിരുവനന്തപുരം: കേരളത്തിന്റെ 12 ഇന ആവശ്യങ്ങള്‍ അടങ്ങിയ നിവേദനം മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി ഉമ്മന്‍ ചാണ്ടി പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി ഡോ. മന്‍മോഹന്‍ സിംഗിനു സമര്‍പ്പിച്ചു.

നിര്‍ദ്ദിഷ്ട പവര്‍ പ്രോജക്ടിനു പ്രകൃതിവാതകം അനുവദിക്കുക, വയനാട്, പത്തനംതിട്ട ജില്ലകളില്‍ വിജയകരമായി നടപ്പാക്കിയ പാചക വാതക ഉപഭോക്താക്കള്‍ക്ക് സബ്‌സിഡി നേരിട്ടുലഭിക്കുന്ന പദ്ധതി കൂടുതല്‍ ജില്ലകളിലേക്കു വ്യാപിപ്പിക്കാന്‍ സമയം അനുവദിക്കുകയും അനാഥാലയങ്ങള്‍ക്കും സമാന സ്ഥാപനങ്ങള്‍ക്കും സബ്‌സിഡിയോടു കൂടിയ എല്‍പിജി സിലിന്‍ഡര്‍ ഉറപ്പാക്കുക, തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തു വിജയകരമെന്നു തെളിഞ്ഞ സ്റ്റാര്‍ട്ടപ്പ് വില്ലേജ് കൊച്ചിയിലും സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള പദ്ധതിക്ക് എത്രയും വേഗം അനുമതി നല്‍കുക, എന്‍ഡോസള്‍ഫാന്‍ ദുരിത ബാധിതര്‍ക്ക് ദേശീയ മനുഷ്യാവകാശ കമ്മീഷന്‍ നിര്‍ദേശിച്ച നഷ്ടപരിഹാരം നല്‍കുന്നതിന് 485.33 കോടി അനുവദിക്കുക, ജവഹര്‍ലാല്‍ നെഹ്‌റു ടോപ്പിക്കല്‍ ബോട്ടാണിക്കല്‍ ഗാര്‍ഡന്‍ ആന്‍ഡ് റിസര്‍ച്ച് ഇന്‍സ്റ്റിറ്റിയൂട്ട് കേന്ദ്ര സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ ഏറ്റെടുക്കുന്നതുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട തടസം നീക്കാന്‍ പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി ഇടപെടുക, നിര്‍ദ്ദിഷ്ട നഞ്ചന്‍കോട്- ബത്തേരി- നിലമ്പൂര്‍ റെയില്‍വേ ലൈന്‍ യാഥാര്‍ത്ഥ്യമാക്കാന്‍ പ്രധാനമന്ത്രിയുടെ അനുകൂല ഇടപെടല്‍ ഉണ്ടാവുക എന്നീ ആവശ്യങ്ങളും ഉന്നയിച്ചു.

കൂടാതെ സംസ്ഥാന സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ തത്വത്തില്‍ അനുമതി നല്‍കിക്കഴിഞ്ഞ തിരുവനന്തപുരം, ചെങ്ങന്നൂര്‍- ഹരിപ്പാട് സബര്‍ബന്‍ റെയില്‍ പദ്ധതി വേഗത്തില്‍ യാഥാര്‍ത്ഥ്യമാക്കാന്‍ ഇടപെടുക, കൊച്ചി പോര്‍ട്ട് ട്രസ്റ്റിന്റെ ഔട്ടര്‍ ഹാര്‍ബര്‍ പദ്ധതിക്ക് അനുമതി നല്‍കുക, വിവിധ സംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളില്‍ നിന്നെത്തുന്ന ആയിരക്കണക്കിനു ശബരിമല തീര്‍ത്ഥാടകര്‍ക്ക് യാത്രാ സൗകര്യം വര്‍ധിപ്പിക്കുന്ന അങ്കമാലി-ശബരി റെയില്‍ പദ്ധതി സംസ്ഥാന സര്‍ക്കാരിന്റെ സാമ്പത്തിക പങ്കാളിത്തമില്ലാതെതന്നെ വേഗത്തില്‍ യാഥാര്‍ത്ഥ്യമാക്കാന്‍ റെയില്‍വേയ്ക്കു നിര്‍ദേശം നല്‍കുക, വിഴിഞ്ഞം അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ആഴക്കടല്‍ തുറമുഖ പദ്ധതിക്ക് കബോട്ടാഷ് നിയമ പരിധിയില്‍ നിന്ന് ഇളവും നല്‍കുക, പാലക്കാട് റെയില്‍ കോച്ച് ഫാക്ടറി യാഥാര്‍ത്ഥ്യമാക്കാന്‍ റെയില്‍വേയ്ക്ക് നിര്‍ദേശം നല്‍കുക, കസ്തൂരി രംഗന്‍ റിപ്പോര്‍ട്ടിലെ പരിസ്ഥിതി ദുര്‍ബല പ്രദേശങ്ങളില്‍ ഭേദഗതി വരുത്തുക എന്നിവയാണ് നിവേദനത്തിലെ ആവശ്യങ്ങള്‍.

പ്രധാനമന്ത്രിയുടെ സാന്നിധ്യത്തില്‍ ശനിയാഴ്ച രാജ്ഭവനില്‍ ചേര്‍ന്ന പ്രത്യേക മന്ത്രിസഭാ യോഗം.

നിവേദനത്തിന്റെ പൂര്‍ണരൂപം

Memorandum submitted

to

Dr. Manmohan Singh
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India


 by

Shri. Oommen Chandy
Chief Minister of Kerala



January, 2014
Thiruvananthapuram



1. Apprehension about Kasthuri Rangan Report:-
Kerala is a state with more than average density of population and yet more than average forest coverage in the country. This itself shows that the people of the state have grown for centuries while respecting the nature and keeping the ecological balance intact. The Gadgil report, followed by Kasturirangan report has caused a lot of apprehension in the minds of the people, especially those living in the areas shown as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA).  Our major apprehensions regarding the Report were communicated to the former Minister of State for Environment & Forests in November, 2013.  We wish to reiterate our stand that the modus-operandi adopted to select ESA areas depending on remote sensing using satellite data is totally erroneous and quite contrary to the ground realities.
Hon’ble Prime Minister is kindly requested that Government of India may issue an amendment stating that the ESA areas notified would be modified on the basis of a physical verification, with a view to identify the actual habitation and agricultural areas and delete from ESA.  The recommendations of High Level Working Group to exclude plantation, agricultural settlements and human settlements having population density higher than 100 persons per square kilometer from ESA may be accepted.  Revenue land occupied by settlers prior to 01/01/1997 may be excluded from ESA.  The proposal for introducing the ESA as buffer zone may be dropped.


2. Rail Coach Factory at Palakkad:-
An extent of 239 acres of land was transferred to Ministry of Railways for establishing a Rail Coach Factory at Palakkad. The function for taking over of this land was held on 17/08/2012.  The Chairman, Railway Board, in a meeting taken by Adviser to PM on 25/09/2012, had informed that a Detailed Project Report is being prepared by RITES and that Cabinet approval was required for finalizing JV through PPP/ICB mode. A time frame of six months was fixed for completing the processes. However, though more than a year has passed since then, there is still no visible progress on ground in this regard.  Steel Authority of India also came forward with a proposal for a JV with Railways, but this also did not meet with approval of Railways.  The people of the state are dismayed to note that the other Coach Factory, which was announced along with the Palakkad Coach Factory,  has already started functioning.

Hon’ble Prime Minister is requested to kindly intervene and instruct the Railways to do the needful for early realization of this project.


Cabotage exemption for Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport, Thiruvananthapuram:-


The State Government is having detailed consultation with the Planning Commission for making the project for Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport a reality. The project has reached a stage where it is ripe for bidding to find a concessionaire for operating the Port and an EPC contractor for constructing the break water. This project is to be financed using the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme of the GOI. All the project parameters have been finalized in consultation with Shri. Gajendra Haldia, Advisor to the Planning Commission. The project’s viability, to a very large extent, depends on grant of exemption from cabotage for this port. It is also necessary that this exemption is granted before selecting a concessionaire so that the Government is not exposed to the charge of granting undue benefit to a party after selecting him as a concessionaire.

I shall therefore, be grateful if the Hon’ble Prime Minister could intervene for an expeditious decision by the GOI for granting exemption from cabotage for the Vizhinjam Port, as done for the Vallarpadam Port.

4. Angamali – Sabari Rail Project:-

Angamali - Sabari Rail Project is a dream project of Kerala which connects the world famous pilgrim centre Sabarimala with Angamali. The project was first declared in the 1997-98 Railway Budget and passes through three major districts viz., Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki. The areas from Angamali towards southern side up to Kottayam are not connected by rail at present. By the completion of this project millions of people and pilgrims will benefit from the service of Railways.  Even though there is budget allotment for the project each year, the sanctioned amount is not disbursed in time which causes much delay in the execution of the project. Railways are requesting that Government of Kerala may share 50% of the project cost.  This was examined by the State Government and it was decided to request the Union Government not to insist on this 50% sharing of the cost.  The project cost of Angamaly – Sabari new line project, which was sanctioned in 1997–98 Railway Budget, has abnormally increased to 1566 crores. The State Government’s resources do not permit sharing of 50% of this huge project cost.

 In the circumstances, since this project is one of the old projects on which work has already started, Hon’ble Prime Minister is requested to kindly intervene and direct the Railways to implement this project without sharing of cost by the state. This will be a great boon to thousands of pilgrims from various States of the country visiting the famous shrine of Sabarimala.


5. Outer Harbour Project of Cochin Port Trust:-

Cochin Port has proposed an Outer Harbour Project.  It consists of two breakwaters from the mouth of the channel extending about 6 KM into the sea, with associated land masses on either side.  The Indian Navy has offered to co-partner Cochin Port in the project, and wants to develop around 650 acres of land and about 4,000 metres of berth along the southern breakwater off Fort Kochi.  The 2,600 acres along the northern breakwater is ideal for an export oriented refinery.  The Outer Harbor project has been found to be technically feasible through studies by IIT, Madras and modeling at Central Water & Power Research Station, Pune.   Its beneficial environmental benefits include prevention of coastal erosion around Cochin, and 40% reduction in siltation in Cochin Port.

The State Government requests the Hon’ble Prime Minister to kindly accord approval for this project.


6. Suburban Rail Services:-

Government of Kerala have accorded "in-principle" sanction for the introduction of Suburban Services in Thiruvananthapuram-Chengannur/Harippad sector in Phase–I by installing automatic signaling and constituting a Special Purpose Vehicle to run air conditioned MEMU/EMU Rakes on this corridor and also to entrust Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) Limited to conduct a feasibility study for the implementation of the above project.  The MRVC has submitted the interim report of the project and the final DPR is expected shortly.

We request the Hon’ble Prime Minister to kindly intervene for the approval of this ambitious project to be implemented jointly by a Joint Venture of Indian Railways and the State Government.
7. Nilambur-Nanjangud Railway Line:-

The proposed 236 kms. long Nanjangud–Sulthan Bathery-Nilambur railway line will help the comprehensive development of a vast area in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu. This line will connect Mysore with Cochin in 6 hours and provide a direct and shorter Bangalore-Kerala connectivity through Mysore.  This line will link the remotest South Indian regions of Wayanad, Nilgiris and Malappuram to the National BG rail network and will be a boon to the people of Wayanad, who are facing difficulties due to the ban of over night road traffic for the protection of wild animals.

The line has immense tourist and pilgrimage potential as it will link Mysore, Wayanad, Nilgiris, Guruvayur and Sabarimala and will connect Wayanad with Mysore Airport and the IT cities of Mysore and Bangalore, by rail. This line would boost the economic development of tribal and backward areas located in the three states, and which do not have rail connectivity at present.

During the Chief Minister’s discussion with the former Railway Minister on 28/08/2013, sanction was assured for the 72km Nanjangud-Sulthan Bathery line as a first phase of the Nanjangud-Sulthan Bathery-Nilambur Road line if 50% of the cost for this line is shared by Kerala and Karnataka State Governments.

Cost of the 1st phase of this line is Rs. 641.78 crores as per the latest estimate. The Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Kerala in a joint meeting have agreed to move together to sanction this line.  A new shorter realignment survey for the second phase Sulthan Bathery –Nilambur to save 80 kms. and thus Rs. 2000 crores may also be considered.  Earlier Hon’ble Chairperson to UPA Mrs. Sonia Gandhi had also requested the former Railway Minister to consider sanctioning this line.
Hon’ble Prime Minister is requested to kindly intervene for a favourable decision in this matter.





8. Taking over of Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (JNTBGRI):-

The Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (JNTBGRI) is a premier R&D Centre established by Government of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram since 1979.  It has been doing excellent research work on plants from the last 35 years.  In order to strengthen the Institute further and to raise it to a national level Institute, the Government of Kerala had requested the Central Government to take it over under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).  The DBT had sent an Expert Team to make an evaluation and recommend thereon.  Following this, distinguished persons such as Shri. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Dr. K.K. Kasthurirangan and Prof. (Dr) K. Vijayaraghavan, Secretary, DBT, Government of India, have visited the Institute in the recent days and made their observations for a complete take over by the Government of India.

We request the Hon’ble Prime Minster to kindly intervene in this matter to quicken the process of take over by the Department of Bio Technology, at the earliest possible.

9. Compensation package for Endosulfan affected persons:-
A large number of persons in Kerala have unfortunately suffered from various ailments, physical deformities, birth defects and also deaths, which are suspected to have been caused by the use of Endosulfan pesticide.  The National Human Rights Commission has asked State Government to pay a large package of compensation to the victims.  The State Government has asked the Government of India for financial assistance of Rs. 485.33 crores to provide this compensation to Endosulfan victims. The Union Minister for Health, Government of India, has assured to provide all support, as is feasible, under the NRHM. However, this is not enough. In last meeting with the Government of India to discuss this issue, it was suggested that a precedent existed in the form of relief granted to the victims of Bhopal Gas Tragedy.  The Government of Kerala is yet to receive any assistance from the Government of India in this regard.
Hon’ble Prime Minister is requested to bestow his personal attention in this matter and, taking into account the extraordinarily large human dimension of the tragedy, do the needful for granting special financial assistance of Rs. 485.33 crores to enable us to grant the compensation ordered by the National Human Rights Commission.

10. Expansion of Start-up Village:-
Startup Village is India's first Public Private Partnership model Technology Business Incubator. The promoters of Startup Village are Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, Technopark Trivandrum and MobME Wireless. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Infosys and the most successful IT Entrepreneur from Kerala are the Chief Mentor for Startup Village.  Startup Village aims to incubate 1,000 product start ups over 10 years and start the search for a billion dollar company from a college campus by turn of this decade. Startup Village will create an ecosystem and provide a platform for start-ups to create breakthrough technologies for the global telecommunications industry. Startup Village will focus primarily on student startups from college campuses.
It has been decided after discussion at the Planning Commission that the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India will jointly finance an expansion plan of the Start-up Village at Kochi with the Government of Kerala.  A project proposal has been sent in this regard to the Department of Science & Technology.
We request the Hon’ble Prime Minister to kindly consider the proposal and approve the project at the earliest possible.
11. Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG Consumers (DBTL):-

The Direct Beneficiary Transfer Scheme for LPG was taken up in two districts of Kerala in Wynad and Pathanamthitta in the 1st phase and are amongst the best performing districts in the country. While Wynad has achieved an Aadhar database seeding of 91.78% and bank seeding of 88.39%, Pathanamthitta has achieved 85.33% of Aadhar seeding and 80.29% of bank seeding. It was decided that the scheme would be rolled out in all the remaining districts of Kerala and the cut off date for shifting to the DBTL regime was fixed as 31st of December 2013. While we have put in our best and commendable efforts to seed the database in a time bound manner, the average coverage for the remaining districts at present is 71.85% for Aadhar database seeding and 59.33% for the bank seeding. Since effecting a shift without seeding most of the database would cause hardship and resentment amongst the consumers, the Minister (P & NG) was kind enough to extend the date till 28th of February’2014. We would require more time as bringing the large migrant labour and NRI population into the net and creating a robust database is time consuming. It is therefore requested that a more realistic time frame of 6 months may be allowed for the state to transit to the DBTL regime.
Kerala has over a thousand charitable institutions like orphanages, old age homes, palliative care centres etc. which are buying LPG at commercial rates as the Government of India norms for seeking subsidy are stringent and difficult to comply with. In the light of the steep increase in the prices of LPG and the necessity to provide succor to these institutions, it is requested that the norms be suitably relaxed to ensure that the deserving institutions are not left out of the subsidy net.
Hon’ble Prime Minister’s intervention is requested for granting sufficient time for implementing the DBT scheme for LPG and for relaxing the norms to ensure that orphanages and other similar institutions get the subsidized supply of LPG.
12 Allocation of domestic natural gas to the power project being established in the State of Kerala:-

Due to non-availability of natural resources such as coal, lignite etc. within the State, Kerala was forced to opt for power generation based on liquid fuels, price of which has become unaffordable now. Harnessing of more hydel power potential has also become difficult on account of environmental concerns. This has left natural gas as a major fuel option before Kerala for meeting its future power development needs. The proposal has gained momentum with the setting up of the LNG terminal at Kochi by PETRONET LNG Ltd. and the gas pipe line network being developed by GAIL.
Proposals to set up gas based power plants in the State are being finalized by various agencies. These include the 400 MW gas based power plant of KSEB by replacing the existing diesel power plant of 106 MW at Brahmapuram, conversion and expansion of the existing NAPTHA based power plant of (360 MW) of NTPC at Kayamkulam to 1050 MW gas based plant and conversion and expansion of the NAPTHA based plant of (157 MW) of BSES at Kochi to a gas based plant of 750 MW capacity. All these projects are proposed to be commissioned during the 12th plan and early 13th plan.
The fuel for these projects is proposed to be RLNG sourced from LNG Terminal at Kochi.  The price of RLNG is much above the price of domestic gas.  It is essential to allocate domestic gas to these power plants to make the power affordable.
Request for allocation of domestic natural gas for these power projects has already being submitted to the Ministries of Power and Petroleum & Natural Gas.  We have also taken up the matter with the Union Government at other appropriate levels.
Considering the facts mentioned above and the importance of the matter to the State an allocation of 5 MMSCMD of domestic natural gas to Kerala to cater to 60% of the gas requirement for the initial capacity of the three power plants may be favourably considered. Hon’ble Prime Minister is requested to kindly intervene for ensuring the above allocation which is to be decided by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.