New Delhi, Wednesday, June 24, 2009: An official level meet has been convened in New Delhi by Minister of States for Agriculture KV Thomas to discuss the existing issues in the Kuttanad-Idukki package.
Agricultural Production Commissioner and higher officials of the State Government will attend the meeting.

At a meeting held with Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan here last week, Union Minister of State for Agriculture K.V.Thomas had assured Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan of all possible help and the projects under the Kuttanad package would be revised to suit the guidelines of the ongoing schemes of the Union Government.

The projects prepared by the State Government for the 15 tasks identified in the Kuttanad package required redrafting to suit the guidelines of the Union Government.

There has been a financial allocation of Rs.1839.75 crore for the 15 tasks identified in the package. Protection and ecological restoration of the water spread area (Task 1) and measures for salinity and flood management in Kuttanad (Task 2) will get financial assistance of Rs.160 crore. Regulation of floodwater in `Kayal’ area near C and D and Rani-Chithira Blocks has a budget of Rs.40 crore. Rs.80 crore has been earmarked for complete construction of AC canal.

For providing infrastructure support to paddy cultivation, Rs.836 crore has been earmarked under the package (Task 8). Restoration of Onattukara, Thuravoor, Pattanakkad rivers, canals, drains and water bodies such as ponds will get a financial assistance of Rs.361 crore.

Coconut-based enterprises and integrated farming, inland fisheries-based livelihoods, strengthening economic viability of farming, strengthening research and extension, infrastructure support to facilitate responsible tourism are some of the other major tasks included in the package.