The Hindu Business Line : Kerala to allow 5 pc of plantation land for other activities

AS part of its efforts to help the crisis-ridden plantation sector, the State Government will allow up to five per cent of the land to be utilised for non-plantation purposes.

Announcing the Cabinet decision to the effect on Wednesday, the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, told newspersons that the interests of the labourers should be protected while diversifying into non-plantation activities. Further, they should be eco-friendly.

He explained that as of now, the plantation sector comprised tea, coffee, cardamom, rubber and cashew. Under the new dispensation, the permitted portion of the land could be utilised for purposes such as tourism, growing medicinal plants, floriculture and vanilla cultivation.

The Chief Minister said that the Government had taken the decision after discussions with the trade union leaders and plantation owners. It was also discussed at the sub-committee of the ruling United Democratic Front.

Tourism Dept: Mr Chandy said that the Cabinet had also decided to form a separate department for tourism. At present, tourism is part of the General Administration Department and the creation of a separate department is intended to lend it greater administrative freedom.

In response to a question about the delay on the part of the State Government to take a decision on tax concessions to be extended for the rehabilitation of Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore, Mr Chandy said the issue was being examined. He asserted that the Government would do everything possible within its limits to help revive the company.

ADB loan: In reply to another question, he said the Government had taken an in-principle decision to go in for the second tranche of the loan from Asian Development Bank.

The Chief Minister indicated that the State's annual Plan outlay would have to be cut back in view of the serious financial crisis the Government had been going through. However, it would be done in such a way that some of the important programmes, such as `Aasraya' scheme for the poorest of the poor, support to agriculture and traditional industries and Centrally sponsored projects, are not affected.

In respect of `Aasraya' scheme, he said the allocation for it would, in fact, be raised in the current Plan.

The scheme, now in operation in 100 panchayats, would be extended to all the panchayats in the State. This would require around Rs 520 crore, he added.

More Stories on : Agricultural Policy | Plantations | Kerala

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