Thiruvananthapuram: Education minister V Sivankutty on Saturday countered BJP’s narrative that his sitting seat Nemom remained underdeveloped for the last five years. He released a development document claiming that state govt carried out development works worth Rs 900 crore in Nemom in last five years.He challenged Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP candidate in the constituency, for a development debate. He asked if Chandrasekhar was ready for a public discussion comparing development during BJP MLA’s tenure (2016-2021) and that under LDF in 2021-2026.Addressing a news conference, Sivankutty claimed that he successfully fulfilled the promise to develop Nemom into a model constituency. Of funds allocated for infrastructure development of 22 schools in Nemom, Vazhamuttom govt high school alone received Rs 11.30 crore. While 15 LP schools were transformed into ‘Varnakoodarams’, modern smart classrooms were set up in 12 schools. In the health sector, extensive projects worth Rs 63.6 cr were implemented, he said.Road renovation projects worth Rs 322 crore and 11 new bridges, including Mudavanmugal bridge, were constructed at a cost of Rs 82 crore, he added.
