Thiruvananthapuram: The CPM state secretariat meet on Friday reposed its faith in CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s position on the controversial semi high-speed rail project. It also extended full support to PWD minister Mohammed Riyas for taking an open stand against contractor-politician nexus.
Addressing the media after the meeting, CPM’s acting secretary A Vijayaraghavan told reporters that the chief minister explained in detail the importance of the SilverLine project. “Pinarayi Vijayan clearly stated all details regarding the project in the assembly. He explained the rationale behind the project and government outlook towards the same in such a way that anybody could hardly harbour further doubts on the importance and need of this project,” he said.
Vijayaraghavan also appealed to the opposition to give up ‘unrealistic apprehension’ towards the project. He said the accusations levelled by critics were politically motivated and government will go ahead with the project with public support.
“You people may remember the opposition to GAIL pipeline project. There were widespread protests. Now people are ready to surrender properties for development projects. Now, they are getting higher compensation for their land and property. People are given Rs 4,000/sq ft compensation for their buildings whereas the construction cost per sq ft in state is less than Rs 2,000. There is no genuine public resistance,” Vijayaraghavan said.
The acting party secretary said those who oppose SilverLine citing the cost factor should understand that the benefits of the project will be felt in all spheres of development. “One should not assess the viability of public infra projects only in terms of revenue. The development and investment it could trigger is something phenomenal,” he said.
Vijayaraghavan said the PWD minister said nothing wrong by asking MLAs to not meet him with contractors responsible for works outside the constituency limits of the MLAs concerned. “What Riyas said is LDF’s policy. Things should get done without recommendations. Ministers give due importance to issues raised by MLAs. Government has a policy on how the office of ministers should function. CPM has a stand on how the government and ministers should function,” he said.
The Secretariat expressed satisfaction over the progress of Life Mission project. Government, under its 100-day programme, completed the work of 12,067 houses for homeless people. At this rate, government will be able to complete the work of one lakh houses in a year, he said.
Vijayaraghavan said 99% of CPM branch committee meetings were over; 35,179 branch meetings have been completed. A month-long local committee meetings would be held in the coming month. In view of Covid-19, CPM has replaced public meetings with virtual meetings. Artistic, literary competitions in connection with party conferences are now held on social media.
