File photo of Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
Kerala government today accorded administrative sanction for light metro projects in the cities of Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram with Delhi Metro Rail Corporations as the implementation agency.
A modified letter, including Delhi Metro Rail Corporation's project report, seeking in-principle approval from the union government would be sent soon.
After obtaining the approval, the state government would go ahead with rest of the implementation procedures that were followed in the case of Kochi Metro Rail project, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram after the state Cabinet meeting.
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will be the implementation agency of light metro projects, he said.
The Cabinet also approved a scheme with a total outlay of Rs 40 crore to give concessions or write off loans taken by Scheduled Tribes people between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2014.
Under the scheme, to be implemented through SC-ST Development Corporation, loans up to Rs one lakh and pending beyond the repayment period would be waived, he said.
"If the amount to be repaid exceeds this limit, applicant should remit that amount and submit the proof," he said.
He also said the Cabinet gave its approval to the final norms, regulations and draft memorandum of association to take over Parippally ESI Medical College in Kollam District, which had been sanctioned by the Centre.
The government has decided not to increase the price of raw materials supplied to public sector Hindustan Newsprint Limited at Pirvaom in Ernakulam district in the current year.
The committee that was constituted to look into the matter had recommended a hike in the price of raw materials provided.
However, the rates will be revised next year taking the company into confidence, Mr Chandy said.