Vijayan asks Centre for more support and assistance

In the backdrop of reports claiming some Keralites joining certain banned terrorist outfits abroad, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today asked the Centre to offer more support and assistance for collection of intelligence in this regard.
Speaking during the 11th Inter-State Council meet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here, Vijayan said the state government is handling the matter "legally with due sensitiveness".
Among other issues, Vijayan also expressed his reservation over dismantling of Planning Commission, terming the move as "unfortunate" and insisted that the dispensation of the erstwhile body should be restored.
"Dispensation of Planning Commission should be restored so that even the remote areas too will figure in the comprehensive and planned development of the nation," he said.

Vijayan also sought a special scheme for the state to upgrade and modernise the state police intelligence by pointing out the activities of the "Left-wing extremist" in the northern districts bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
During the Council meet, the Kerala CM demanded a discussion in the Standing Committee over the Punchhi Commission report which had recommended for an effective restructuring of Centre-State relations.

Kerala has also demanded grant to start Coastal Police Training School, Marine IR Battalion and a Counter Insurgency and Anti-terrorism school in the state considering internal security issues and the state's strategic position.
Pinarayi Vijayan also met Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in the evening and discussed various issues pertaining to the development of railways in the state and suggested floating a State-Railways joint venture to expedite the development of railways in Kerala.

The CM, who is accompanied by state's Ports Minister Kadannapally Ramachandran, plans to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari tomorrow to discuss the issue of Centre issuing in-principle nod to Colachel Port in Tamil Nadu, nearly 30 km away from the proposed Vizhinjam Port project in state.