Kerala Tourism receives Best Performance Award

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala tourism department has bagged State Planning Board's award for the Best performance in the implementation of Annual Plan 2013-14.

The department has secured the first rank under category (III) for timely monitoring and completion of its projects. Category (III) includes around 120 departments and implementing agencies, which have a budget allocation of Rs 300 crores, a press release said.

"The award is recognition for the efforts and hard work of the department's officials and we are extremely proud to receive this," said Kerala Tourism Minister A P Anilkumar.

This is the inaugural award instituted by the State Planning Board for the most efficient department in fund utilisation. The award consists of a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, memento and citation.

Finance Minister, K M Mani presented the award to Kerala Tourism Director P I Sheikh Pareeth in the presence of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at a function here yesterday.