Official statement silent on whether issues such as SilveLine and eco-sensitive zones around protected forests were discussed.
Pinarayi Vijayan meets Narendra Modi in New Delhi (Supplied)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s office at South Block in New Delhi on Tuesday, 27 December.
The much-hyped meeting turned out to be a damp squib with the leaders skirting grave issues concerning the state.
Though the meeting was held at a time the creation of eco-sensitive — or buffer — zones around reserve forests, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks has been causing widespread concerns in Kerala, an official media release did not mention the topic coming up for discussion.
Several individuals and organisations, including the Church, have expressed fear that the buffer zone could affect the lives and livelihoods of a large number of the rural population.
It was earlier reported that the chief minister would raise the issue with the Prime Minister.
The official statement was also silent on another contentious issue, the ruling LDF’s prestigious SilverLine semi-high-speed rail corridor connecting the state capital Thiruvananthapuram in the south with Kasaragod, the northernmost district.
It was earlier reported that the chief minister would raise the issue with Modi and request speedy approval for the project.
The meeting with the Prime Minister was earlier scheduled to be held at his official residence but the venue was later shifted to the South Block.
Vijayan was in New Delhi to attend a two-day meeting of the CPI(M)’s politburo and he used the occasion to meet the Prime Minister.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, 27 December. (Supplied)
The media statement said the discussion was mainly on the re-emergence of Covid-19 and the preventive steps that have to be adopted.
The chief minister explained containment measures Kerala has initiated to prevent another wave of the pandemic.
The statement claimed that the leaders decided to strengthen central-state relations, besides initiating various collaborative developmental ventures involving both the Centre and the state.
Vijayan explained the steps taken to further develop the national highways passing through the state.
He also shared Kerala’s eagerness to complete the Jal Jeevan Mission and other projects which could ensure “fast-paced development”.
Both sides exchanged New Year greetings, the statement said.
The chief minister gifted the Prime Minister a ponnada (cloth woven with golden threads) and a kathakali figurine. Chief Secretary VP Joy also attended the meeting.
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