Thiruvananthapuram, Thursday, February 10, 2011: State Finance Minister Thomas Isaac today announced implementation of Rs 1000 crore package for the by-passes in the state. He was presenting the State budget in the Assembly.

The Minister said that expansion works of all the PWD roads in the State would be carried out without looking into the ownership of the land involved. He announced setting up of two new State highways. The new State highways in the offing are Parasala-Kollam mountain highway and Poovar- Ponnani coastal highway. Ten State Highways would be expanded.

The Budget exempts cable television operators and house boats from luxury tax. Items sold for offerings inside places of worship and organic fertilizers will also be exempted from tax. Tax on manufactured sand will be reduced to four per cent and compounded tax on house boats rationalised.

The Finance Minister also announced expansion of 36 district level roads to two-layer tracks. A new system would be implemented under the road fund board for the expansion of the roads in the state.

An interest free loan of Rs 1000 crore would be alloted for the expansion of the roads. RFB along with R and B would be given right to collect the loan. Apart from this 40,000 crore would be collected from interest free institutions for the same purpose.

The Minister also announced a 250 crore package for the expansion of the roads in Thiruvananthapuram district. Separate schemes would be implemented for the expansion and modernization of roads in each district.

Isaac set aside Rs 15 crore for land accquisition for the Kannur Airport. The Airport would be implemented within a span of two years. Rs 25 crore has been allotted for the land accquisiton for the Kozhikode airport. The Finance Minister announced Sitaram mills in Thrissur would be modernised by spending 20 crore rupees. A non-beta lactum factory would be set up by spending 33 crore. He also set aside Rs 50 crore for the modernization of Keltron.

The Minister also announced a string of welfare schemes. An insurance of 10,000 rupees would be provided for each and every new born child. The welfare pension stands hiked to 400 rupees from the exisiting 300 rupees. Rs 40 lakh families would be approved as BPL families. 102 crore rupees has been set aside for acquiring land for IT parks. Two lakh rupees would be provided for the operation of children having hearing problems.

The state dividend for the Anganwadi teachers would be raised to 1000 rupees. Free uniform would be provided for schools which opt for handloom uniforms. The finance minister also announced welfare schemes for house maids and cooks. Free treatment would be provided for children having heart and liver problems. The treatment would be provided in selected 16 hospitals.

A kit containing essential commodities would be provided through ration shops for 300 rupees. The commission of ration dealers also stands hiked. The finance minister allotted Rs 100 crore for checking the price hike of essential commodities. 3000 ration shops would be granted the status of franchisees of civil supplies corporation.

(News agency)