Kerala government mulls commission for new districts, balanced development

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister V D Satheesan on Tuesday said the govt was committed to ensuring balanced regional development and equitable distribution of resources across the state while examining the appointment of a commission to study the need for creating new districts and taluks.Replying in the to a calling attention motion moved by T V Ibrahim MLA, the CM said the govt’s development policy was aimed at ensuring social justice-driven economic growth by providing equal access to public services and development benefits for all sections of society. He said policy decisions in sectors such as education, health and transport would consider factors including population, backwardness, geographical characteristics and gaps in basic infrastructure.Satheesan said the govt would adopt practical measures to address regional disparities arising from the uneven distribution of resources. He said special development packages for Kasaragod, Wayanad, Idukki and Kuttanad would be implemented effectively and adequate allocations would be ensured for Malabar, coastal regions and hilly areas in development, welfare, infrastructure, health and education sectors.

Satheesan said the govt also envisaged the establishment of the Wayanad Tribal University and an indigenous knowledge centre with the objective of promoting educational advancement, research, skill development and socio-economic transformation among tribal communities. He said the initiative would open new opportunities in education and research for backward districts, including Wayanad.Stating that the concerns raised by the member were being taken seriously, Satheesan said the govt was examining the proposal to appoint a commission to study the necessity of forming new districts and taluks.He said the govt remained committed to reducing district-level development disparities, ensuring resource allocation based on population and backwardness, and extending special consideration to service-deficient regions, including Malabar.