THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday decided to ban production and sale of Pepsi and Coca-Cola in the State.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting that the ban was being imposed as the colas contained substances harmful to health of the people. The ban might be extended to other products of the companies after due examination as they were also reported to contain such substances.

The Chief Minister said the Government had received reports from the department in charge of enforcement of Food and Adulteration Act on the colas. Several studies had shown that the cola products contained harmful substances. A few States had already banned Pepsi and Coca-Cola. There were also a few court verdicts in favour of the ban.

Mr.Acthuthanandan also recalled the people's agitations against Coca-Cola.

He said the Cabinet had resolved to convey the State's concern to the Centre over the denial of political clearance for the Vizhinjam International Transhipment Project. The Centre had informed Minister for Law and Ports M. Vijayakumar of its decision. Central Ministers from Tamil Nadu who favoured the Kolachal project were said to be obstructing clearance for the Vizhinjam project. There were also reports that the presence of a Chinese company in the consortium that won the bid for the project was the reason behind the denial of clearance.

The Government, he said, would convene an all-party meeting to discuss ways for the implementation of the project without delay.

A special Cabinet meeting would be convened next week to discuss the financial position of the State. The State's position was much weaker than that presented by the previous Government. The golden jubilee of formation of Kerala will be celebrated from November 1 this year. Programmes were being planned for 50 days from November 1.

The Cabinet decided to bring an Ordinance for reconstituting the Sports Council.

The farm workers of the Agriculture Department would be given an interim relief of Rs.200 a month with effect from August 1, 2005. An interim relief of Rs.120 a month would be sanctioned to casual labourers.

Mr. Achuthanandan said a new chairman for the State Human Rights Commission would be appointed soon.

The Vaikom Higher Secondary School would be named after P. Krishna Pillai, one of the founding leaders of Communist Party in the State.

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