The Hindu Business Line : Kerala Cabinet to discuss Chittur sugar mill revival plan soon

Announcing this in the State Assembly, the Industries Minister, Mr P. K. Kunhalikkutty, said the Cabinet would also seek to assess the latest financial position of the company and take on record the amount of money that it owed to farmers by way of purchase of sugarcane. He said this in reply to a submission on the floor of the House.

Co-op sector in tourism: The Government will consider involving the co-operative sector in tourism development, according to the Tourism Minister, Mr P. Sankaran.

Replying to questions, he said it had now become clear that tourism development could not be carried out with Government funds alone. Both the private and cooperative sectors could partake in the several projects being proposed in the State, he said.

The Government will not tolerate attacks on tourists and is firm on framing laws to prevent such incidents, Mr Sankaran said. A tourism master plan for the State is being developed as part of the Vision 2025 initiative. Destinations in North Kerala will find adequate mention in the master plan.

District Tourism Promotion Councils will be revamped to make them more effective in promoting tourism at the grassroots level, he added.

Superannuation benefits: According to the Labour Minister, Mr Babu Divakaran, poor finances had made it difficult for the Government to pay superannuation benefits to indigent farmers as has been envisioned in the agricultural workers pension scheme.

Nor was it in a position to pay more than two instalments of the farmers pension despite Rs 44 crore having been allocated for the purpose in the budget.

Paddy field conversion: The Water Resources Minister, Mr T.M. Jacob, said the Government would go ahead with stern measures to check conversion of paddy fields in order to prevent groundwater level from depleting further. Underground check dams had been found to be very effective in preserving groundwater.

The Minister said local bodies were reluctant to take over drinking water schemes and the department was free to take action against them in this connection.

Fertility clinics: The State Government is awaiting the drafting and passing of peer Central legislation that seeks to prescribe guidelines for fertility clinics in running their trade, according to the Health Minister, Mr Kadavoor Sivadasan.

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Kerala Cabinet to discuss Chittur sugar mill revival plan soon