Alappuzha: “Giving a lifeline to the dead Kuttanad package, the government will submit a report to the Central government,” said agriculture minister V.S. Sunilkumar. He was talking to the media after visiting the Rani Chithira paddy polders as part of evaluating the situation of the fields before launching the government-initiated farming on Tuesday.
“Technically the deadline of the package is over. The implementation of the package failed because of the lack of coordination among various departments. The agriculture secretary has been asked to submit a report. The package was not launched in a proper way. Serious lapses occurred in the implementation. All issues with regard to the project will be probed. Those who are held responsible will be punished accordingly. A meeting will be convened to discuss Agrarian issues in connection with Kuttanad”, he said adding that the procurement arrears would be distributed in a week.
Analyzing the condition of Rani and Chithira polders, the minister has ordered the irrigation department to strengthen the Kuppapuram bandh which breached the other day. The Minster reached the district early in the morning and he spent at least three hours in the Kuttanad area. Local MLA Thomas Chandy and district panchayat president G. Venugopal accompanied the minister.
