Page 6 - economic review

FOREWORDiv

cooking gas subsidy by direct transfers, coal sector reforms and a greater focus on
self sufficient smart cities and urban infrastructure. Government of Kerala is actively
engaging in a dialogue with the Union Government on state specific developmental
concerns.

Some of the major achievements in the state include identifying a set of high priority
projects to be taken up on a Mission Mode (Mission 676), special attention to the
tribal sector by providing additional funding ( ATSP) and setting up a High Level
Task Force under the Honourable Minister for Scheduled Tribes, the successful
completion of state of the art infrastructure for the 35th National Games, obtaining
“in principle” Viability Gap Grant Assistance for Vizhinjam Port ( the first port project
in the country to get such assistance from the Centre), launching of State Initiative
on Disabilities and many others. The Government took a series of initiatives to give
an impetus to the agriculture sector by giving a thrust to organic farming, through a
Global Agro Meet, increased focus on soil health and integrated pest management
and development. The establishment of an Indian Institute of Information Technology
(IIT) is a long standing dream of the people of Kerala. A detailed project report for
setting up IIT in Kerala was prepared and submitted to the Union Government. The
Kochi Metro is likely to be completed on time, thus promoting mass rapid transport
in the state.

The Government, with the expertise of the Kerala State Planning Board, has
introduced a series of initiatives, which are likely to have a long term impact on
Kerala’s development. One such initiative was the Kerala Perspective Plan 2030,
which has been approved by the Government of Kerala. It sets out goals and
strategies for the state to achieve significant economic growth, high human standards
of living,greater social inclusiveness and better environmental protection. Another
major initiative approved by the Government is the setting up of a Consortium of
Retired Experts(CRED) to supplement the much needed skills that the State needs.
By involving a variety of stakeholders, the Planning Board brought out a draft Scientific
Mining Policy and a draft Infrastructure Bill, which are under consideration of the
Government. An Empowered Task Force provided a series of recommendations to
improve entrepreneurship opportunities in the state. As a consequence Government
has set up a Mission on Employment Generation. Various systemic reforms were
introduced to make Plan allocation, implementation and monitoring process more
scientific and robust. These include the effective use of an on-line real time plan
expenditure monitoring system Planspace and incentivization through awards to
well performing Departments/Implementing Agencies and Local Bodies.

This year, as is the norm, the latest available data has been included on Government
policy, plan priorities and on-going major programmes/schemes and projects to
provide a clear picture of how Kerala’s economy has performed during the XIth Plan
(2007/08-2011/12) and the first few years of the XIIth Plan (2012/13 and 2013/14).
Information upto September 2014 has been captured and in some cases, information
upto December has been made available. Accomplishments as well as challenges
faced by Implementing Agencies in achieving their objectives is brought out sector-
wise in Volume I and corresponding data is provided in Volume II. In addition, a
theme paper on Employment in Kerala, a major concern for the State, is included in
this year’s Economic Review.

Kerala State Planning Board