KOLLAM: The factories of Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) and Capex have started getting raw cashew from Aralam farm in Kannur. The first consignment of 10 tonnes reached here on Monday as part of government's attempts to procure raw cashew from domestic markets. Minister J. Mercykkutty Amma, who received procurement documents, said raw cashew from the state-run plantations in Kasargod would soon reach here.
The cabinet had earlier decided to supply raw cashew produced in various public sector farms including those under the Plantation Corporation to the KSCDC and Capex in times of scarcity, to empower them to bargain with foreign suppliers. Thirty factories under the KSCDC and ten under the Capex remained closed for the last several weeks owing to lack of availability of raw cashew. The cashew from Aralam will be immediately distributed to these factories, ensuring jobs to hundreds of women workers in the field.
The KSCDC currently has a liability of 56 crore as gratuity and Rs 6 crore as PF dues. Out of a total 30 factories, 20 were acquired by the Corporation on a rental basis. District collectors priced them, and corporation can own them paying Rs 69 crore. It currently has 12,000 employees. Meanwhile, out of 890 private cashew factories in the state 390 remain closed for the past one year against which trade unions except CITU are protesting.
