Covid the key topic as Pinarayi meets Modi

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s office in the South Block, New Delhi on Tuesday.
The chief minister is in New Delhi in connection with the CPM central committee meeting. The main topic of the discussion between the prime minister and chief minister was the preparations in the wake of the newly emerged Covid-19 variant threat. The state’s preparedness for preventing the spread of the new variant was discussed.
Another point discussed was Centre-state relations, which assumes importance in the wake of the state’s continuing criticism about the Centre’s approach in all matters, including sharing of resources and projects with the states where non-BJP parties are in power. The meeting vowed to strengthen the Centre-state relations by initiating active measures to accelerate the completion of various ongoing projects in the state, including the national highway development and Vizhinjam port project.
The chief minister explained to the Prime Minister about the interventions and activities being carried out by the state government for the development of national highways in the state. As many as 15 road projects worth Rs 45,536 crore (two of which have been completed and inaugurated) have been initiated in the state. Discussions were also held regarding the speedy completion of Jal Jeevan Mission. The chief minister conveyed his Christmas and New Year greetings to the prime minister and gifted a Kathakali sculpture as a token of gratitude. Chief secretary V P Joy also attended the meeting.
Though it was expected that the matters including state’s demand for increasing its borrowing limits, the ongoing issue of buffer zone around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries and the SilverLine projects –– all of which need the Centre’s clearance –– would be taken up with the prime minister, sources said that the visit was limited to a mere courtesy visit and none of these matters were discussed.