The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Panchayats told to conduct resource mapping

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 22, 2006

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Panchayats told to conduct resource mapping

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Government has directed all panchayats to conduct resource mapping, Local Administration Minister Kutty Ahamed Kutty has said.

Replying to questions in the Assembly on Tuesday, Mr. Kutty said that the mapping process would be conducted in an extensive manner and the data collected would be digitalised. The Government has not got any complaints about the mapping process.

Marketing centres would be opened in rural and urban areas to sell the products of the self-help women's groups. The scheme to develop self-reliant villages would be extended to 140 panchayats. Kudumbashree units have helped to improve the standard of living of the poor and the weaker sections. It would be extended to the cities too, he said.

Rural Development Minister C.F. Thomas said that the procedures for fixing land price have been completed. As there were complaints about the manner in which the prices were fixed, the Government has not notified the revised prices. No decision has been made on enforcing the revised prices, he said.

Forest Minister A. Sujanapal said in a written reply that sandalwood worth Rs.5,86,75,920 was stolen from the forest between 2003 and 2006 and 1,933 cases have been registered. The strength of forest guards would be increased and forest stations opened to check thefts.

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