Kerala - Alappuzha   

`State failed to execute project'

Staff Reporter

Minister visits Coirfed office

ALAPPUZHA : Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh has said the State has failed to implement effectively the Rs.56-crore project sanctioned by the Union Government in 2004 for the development of coir clusters in Alappuzha district.

At a press conference here on Thursday, Mr. Ramesh said the project, which should have been in the final stages now, was only in the beginning stage. The Centre had promised to provide Rs.42 crore aid for the project. The remaining amount had to be shared by the State Government and beneficiary groups.

He said his Ministry would help the Coir Board organise India international coir festival in the State annually. The first coir festival would be held in Alappuzha in October 2007, said Coir Board chairman A.C. Jose who accompanied the Minister.

The Minister said the festival would attract foreign buyers to the State and would help the coir industry. Mr. Ramesh said the Union Government declared Alappuzha as a Town of Excellence regarding coir. He said the development of coir sector was possible only through the concerted effort of the Union and State Governments.

Mr. Ramesh promised significant aid from the Union Commerce Ministry for the development of coir sector and cash crops of the State through the ASIDE (Assistance to States for Infrastructure Development) programme, if the Government submitted projects.

The Minister said export of coir products from the country was showing a steady increase. The country earned an income of Rs.590 crore from export of coir products. The Government expected an export income of Rs.700 crore from the coir sector in 2006-07, he said.

Commenting on the coconut production in the State, the Minister said productivity per acre was the lowest in the State. The Minister said coir industry in the State urgently needed modernisation. Earlier, he visited Kerala Mats and Mattings Cooperative Society here.

The Minister expressed surprise at the age-old process being followed at the factory for manufacturing mats. He said the existing looms needed to be replaced by power looms to reduce drudgery.

Mr. Ramesh also visited the Coirfed office here and various other factories.

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