Central govt stifling Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan as state releases progress report

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 7 (ANI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hit out at the central government saying that the state government is facing challenges financially and the Centre is stifling the state.
"The central government is not giving us what we rightfully deserve. It was only after the Supreme Court intervened that the Centre relented. We are facing challenges that no ordinary government should have to endure. They are stifling Kerala," Vijayan said while addressing the state government's three-year progress report programme on Friday.
As the Pinarayi Vijayan government entered its fourth year, the Chief Minister released the state's progress report for the last three years.
"Out of the 600 promises, the previous government completed almost all, except a few. Despite various efforts to mislead the public, the people chose to re-elect the LDF, rewriting history and granting us a continued mandate," Vijayan said.
The Kerala Chief Minister said that instead of aiding the state during times of disaster the central government acted "negatively" but the state "survived".
"During times of disaster, Kerala did not receive the necessary assistance. Those responsible for aiding us acted negatively. It was a period where we could have faced total collapse, but we survived by standing together in the face of those who did not support us," Vijayan said.
The Kerala Chief Minister said that the government has not been able to provide DA owing to the financial crisis but the crisis will be overcome soon.
"Due to the financial crisis, the government has not been able to provide DA to its employees. However, they will not have to endure this crisis indefinitely. Steps to resolve this issue will be taken soon," Vijayan said.
Vijayan said that the government was not able to carry out several tasks due to the "election code of conduct" but will not now be able to function since the elections are over.
"Due to the election code of conduct, we are unable to carry out many tasks. We couldn't even conduct the pre-monsoon cleaning meeting. We will bring these issues to the attention of the Election Commission. Once elections are over in a state, the government should be able to function," the Chief Minister said. (ANI)