Volume 10 Issue 07 June 2021 `50 June PINARAYI 05 VIJAYAN 2.0 with a Path Breaking Young Face WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY he world is relieving itself from the clutches of the Covid19 pandemic. The widespread hue and cry caused by the Coronavirus are diminishing in India as well. Countries have shown a significant Tdecline in coronavirus infection rates in recent weeks. As for Kerala, it was another historic moment when the LDF government led by Pinarayi Vijayan was elected for a consecutive term in the 2021 legislative assembly polls. With plans to raise Kerala to First-world standards, the cabinet had freshers handling important portfolios. Indicating the success of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, the state of Kerala has retained the top position on the index of India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for 2020-21. The Index for SDG evaluates the progress of states and union territories on social, economic and environmental parameters. Reeling under the strain of the pandemic, there is a huge requirement for the revival of the State’s economy and the new government is looked upon for innovative strategies for the same. Elected from Beypore, PA Mohammed Riyas is the Minister of Tourism in the newly-elected Left Democratic Front (LDF) 2.0 government in Kerala. With signs of the second wave of Covid-19 subsiding, the new government is charting measures to revive its vital tourism sector and offer tourists a wide variety of safe experiences, which will give the local economy a much-needed economic shot in the arm. The new government is expected to roll out packages that encourage domestic travellers to visit key destinations in Foreword the state. Steps, including decentralisation of destination development, to offset revenue loss caused by the decline in international tourist arrivals are on the cards. An array of tourism promotion schemes to raise domestic and foreign tourists is being initiated by the new government. It is expected that the new government will embrace measures that help boost the economic, environmental and social aspects of our well-being and take the state forward. SIJI NAIR Managing Editor & Director June 2021 3 Contents Volume 10 - Issue 07 - March 2021 www.metromartdaily.com Read our e-edition: www.issuu.com/metromart Annual Subscription Rs- 500 Publisher Hari Shanker Managing Editor & Siji Nair Pinarayi Vijayan 2.0: Director [email protected] 06 with a Path Breaking Executive Director Prasad M. Young Face Executive Editor N. Vijayagopalan Council of Ministers Editor V. Viswanath 10 Editorial Assistant Ampili Nair Kerala to roll out packages Sub Editor P.J. Sam Alex 18 promoting domestic tourism Project Head Raj Nijith Business Development Ratheesh Kumar Kerala government is Manager 20 committed to far-reaching Asst Manager-Sales & Jayaprakash R. P. growth Marketing Digital Marketing Preethi J. L. KSIDC: Officer 60 A One Stop Source for Design Kiran Mohan Investors Manager- Administration Sabu C.N. Published, Edited and Printed by Hari Shanker A.G. and Owned by Haritha Media Pvt Ltd and Printed by him at Manager-Accounts Sindhu R. SB Press Private Limited, Statue, Trivandrum 695 001 and Published from Tharangam, Kodunganoor Post, Trivandrum 695 013 Corporate Office:- Metro Mart is a monthly journal published from Trivandrum, Views and opinions expressed in the journal Metro Mart, MERA 44, Eanthivila Lane, are not necessarily those of the Publishers. Murinjapalam, Medical College P.O. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695 011 Metro Mart reserves the right to use the information published here in any manner whatsoever. While every Tel: 0471 4015593 effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the M: 0091 9995139933 / 9947733339 information published in this edition, neither the Publisher email: [email protected] nor any of its employees accept any responsibilities for any errors or omissions. Pune Office:- All Rights Reserved RNI No: KERENG/2011/40037 2nd Floor, ARIANA, Above Unnati, ENDORSED BY Near New Poona Bakery, Wakad, Pune - 411 057 India Pune | Kolkata | Bangalore | Kochi 4 June 2021 SPECIAL FEATURE 6 June 2021 PINARAYI VIJAYAN 2.0 with a Path Breaking Young Face he recently concluded Kerala Assembly polls saw the CPI(M)-led LDF government retaining Tpower in the State by winning 99 seats against 41 seats of Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) out of the total 140 seats. BJP could not win any seat. The victory of LDF is a departure from Kerala's political tradition in which the State alternates between LDF and UDF in successive terms. During the tough days of floods, cyclone and pandemic, Pinarayi Vijayan unwaveringly led the state forward and the re-election of LDF stood out as a testimony to his leadership skills. The new Council of Ministers comprising 21 Ministers was sworn in on May 20th at a low key function at Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. Except for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and a few others, all ministers of the new cabinet are fresh faces. The new cabinet is indeed a blend of youngsters and veterans. By choosing 17 new faces in the 21 member Council of Ministers the June 2021 7 Chief Minister has sent a strong signal has been constituted to suggest that the party stands for change and recommendations towards this. for young blood in administration. The Chief Minister said right to The first cabinet meeting of the housing is also a focus area of Pinarayi Vijayan government, held just the government and the last LDF a couple of hours after being sworn government had initiated several drew its roadmap for the next five processes in this regard. However, years with a focus on various promises on the other side, several people made in the LDF manifesto. are facing attachment of properties and losing their shelters. He said With the halo of returning to that it has been decided to enact a power for a historic second term, stringent legislation to prevent the the government seemed to set its loss of accommodation through sights on the distant horizon than foreclosure proceedings and a the immediate future, with the Chief committee headed by additional Minister announcing at the press chief secretary (finance) has been conference soon after the cabinet constituted to submit a report on meet that Kerala would catch up with this before July15. the developed First World in 25 years. Pinarayi Vijayan said that for The cabinet meeting noted that women, a 'Smart Kitchen' concept poverty alleviation will be a key for housewives will be promoted to objective of the new government. lessen their burden of household It decided to conduct a survey in work and a chief secretary- level the state to determine the distress committee will frame guidelines for factors and submit suggestions for the project. The Kerala Development mitigation. The Chief Minister said and Innovation Strategic Council in the press meet that the aim of the (K-DISC) has been entrusted to new government is to bring those frame guidelines for providing living in poverty above the below jobs to 20 lakh youths in the state. poverty line and that this will be The report in this regard will be achieved in the next five years, adding submitted before July15. that a secretary-level committee 8 June 2021 The government is of the view that that people reposed faith in LDF all its services are people's rights. and brought it back to power. It will undertake a massive exercise The government is committed to to make all its services available fulfilling their hopes and desires, online so that people can access the Chief Minister asserted. He them from their homes. A project announced that a single window in this regard will be commissioned system will be brought in the state on October 2, the Chief Minister to solve the various complaints said. He further said that all the related to the launch of industries 900 promises made in the LDF in the state. manifesto will be fulfilled within The State’s debt level is expected to five years. He pointed out that the rise due to increased expenditure last government had fulfilled 550 of for combating Covid-19 and there the total 600 promises it gave and might be a further decline in it was owing to this performance income by March 2022. June 2021 9 Council of Ministers Pinarayi Vijayan General Administration, All India Services, Planning and Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, Pollution Control, Scientific Institutes, Personnel and Administrative Reforms, Election, Integration, Information Technology, Sainik Welfare, Distress Relief, State Hospitality, Airports, Metro Rail, Inter - State River Waters, Coastal Shipping and Inland Navigation, Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation, Information and Public Relations, Non- Resident Keralites’ Affairs, Home, Vigilance, Administration of Civil Phone Number and Criminal Justice, Fire and Rescue Services, 0471-233241, 0471-2333812 Prisons, Printing and Stationery, Welfare 0471-2333682, 9447565656 of Minorities, All important policy matters, Subjects not mentioned elsewhere K Rajan Minister for Land Revenue, Survey and Land Records, Land Reforms and Housing Phone Number 0471-2327068, 9400006300 Roshy Augustine Minister for Irrigation, Command Area Development Authority, Ground Water Department, Water Supply and Sanitation Phone Number 0471-2333487, 0471-2337855, 9400099333 10 June 2021 Team Pinarayi Vijayan 2.0 K Krishnankutty Minister for Electricity and ANEWRT Phone Number 0471-232756, 9400055333 A K Saseendran Minister for Forest & Wild Life Phone Number 0471-2327561, 9495969787 Ahamed Devarkovil Minister for Ports,