Kuttanad package on track

Noted agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan has said that the
Rs.1,840-crore Kuttanad package is well on track despite some problems
relating to finer aspects in its implementation.Dr. Swaminathan told
reporters after a meeting with Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan that
some of the technical issues relating to implementation of the
package, particularly those connected with measures needed to check
flooding, would have to be thrashed out through discussions with the
Central government.The outer bunds of Kuttanad should be strengthened
and Kuttanad should be developed as a special agriculture zone so as
to increase paddy output from the region from the present 37 per cent
to 50 per cent in course of time, he said. He admitted that the
Kuttanad package could be implemented only with adequate availability
of funds, but was confident that once implemented, the package would
help change the very face of Kuttanad which was one of the few places
in the world where cultivation was being carried out below mean sea
level.The emphasis of the Kuttanad package was on ensuring food,
health and ecological security and an implementation committee chaired
by the Chief Minister had been formed to oversee its
implementation.Among the tasks proposed to be taken under the package
were repair of the Thottappally Spillway, renovation of the
Alappuzha-Changanasseri (AC) Canal and conservation of the Vembanad
lake the Kumarakom tourist resort. Kumarakom backwaters were
comparable to Dal Lake in Kashmir. Development and conservation of the
area would be undertaken keeping in view the ecological aspects as
well, he said.Replying to a question, Dr. Swaminathan said that as
compared to the package for Kuttanad, that for Idukki could be
implemented with relative ease as all the connected decisions could be
taken at the State level.Earlier, the Chief Minister said the
discussion with Dr. Swaminathan was held in the light of confusions
and controversies about the package, which was sanctioned by the
Centre in September, 2007. Dr. Swaminathan had offered all help and
support to the State to implement the package, which was based on the
recommendations submitted by a panel headed by him, with Central
assistance, Mr. Achuthanandan said.

The Hindu, 31st December 2008