Kerala to bring in Right to Service Act: Chandy

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Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said the state government would bring in a Right to Service Act to ensure that the government's services and programmes are delivered promptly to the people.

The proposed legislation would be as revolutionary as the Right to Information Act brought in by the Centre, Chandy said in his first Independence Day address after coming to power following Congress-led UDF victory's in the April 13 Assembly polls.

Though Kerala was reputed for its achievements in education, healthcare and other services, the quality and efficacy of the system of delivery had eroded over the years and it was now essential to strengthen and streamline it, the Chief Minister said.

He also said that it was important for the state to strengthen its economic foundation as it no longer could remain content with the remittances from people working abroad.

Chandy said the UDF Government was committed to improving the situation by hard work, dedication and result-oriented action plans.

Expressing concern over increase in crimes against women and children, Chandy said a social security programme called "thooval sparsham" would be launched to ensure safety of women and children within and outside their homes.

Steps would also be taken for effectively tackling cyber crimes and fraudulent deals like "money chains," he added.

Chandy said India was poised to become the second largest economic power in the next two decades as its strength was demonstrated when it remained intact during the global meltdown which affected even the most powerful nations of the world.

Though terrorism and extremism posed threat to the country, its strong democratic system was capable of overcoming all such challenges, he said.

The Chief Minister said the 100-day action plan launched by the government had proved wrong the notion that only controversies flourish in Kerala at the cost of economic and social progress.

Chandy also unfurled the national flag and inspected the Independence Day parade in which contingents of armed forces units, various wings of state police, paramilitary forces, NCC and scouts and guides participated.