Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said here on Wednesday that the State government had no plans to abolish the State Planning Board.
“No proposal to abolish the Planning Board is under consideration of the government,” the Chief Minister told the media at his weekly Cabinet briefing. Reports that government secretaries had put up such a proposal at a meeting were wrong. The Board was doing good work under its Vice Chairman K. M. Chandrasekhar for development of the State.
On the Centre’s move to abolish the Planning Commission, the Chief Minister said that he was not totally opposed to it. He had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his doubts and concerns about the proposal. “I am of the view that the Centre should consult the States on the matter."
The State government had earlier petitioned the Centre against norms imposed by the Commission on Centrally sponsored scheme and committee had been appointed to look into the matter. The State needed some latitude implementing Central schemes.
Mr. Chandy said that he had written to Union Minister for Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati protesting against the high fares being charged by airlines in the Gulf sector during the Onam season. All airlines including Air India had cut down on services and charging heavy fares, taking advantage of the Onam rush.
Asked about reports that he had complained to Congress leader A. K. Antony against KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran, the Chief Minister said that he had not complained against anyone.
On the issue of permitting beer and wine parlours, he said that the UDF meeting had taken a decision only on closing down 720 bars. Other related issues were to be looked into.
