Kerala announces relief for sinking plantation sector

Monday, 21 October 2002, 19:30 IST
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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala has announced immediate relief for its crisis-ridden plantation sector, especially its 24,000 odd workers who have been jobless for several months. Decreasing productivity and falling prices of coffee, tea, rubber and cardamom have led to the closure of nearly 24 estates, mainly producing tea and coffee. But relief appears to be at hand, with Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony, Monday promising free supply of 10 kg of rice every week for workers in the sector. The announcement came after Antony and his senior ministerial colleagues held a four-hour long meeting here with trade union representatives, bank officials, estate owners and officials of local bodies. Among other short term measures are plans to hold medical camps in areas where salaries have not been paid for some time. "We have also directed officials concerned to ensure that the food for work scheme is introduced, schemes to provide drinking water taken up and that the children of the 24,000 plantation be provided education," said Antony. He expressed unhappiness over the attitude of nationalized banks towards the sector. "These banks are not doing what their counterparts are doing in neighboring states. I have already expressed my concern to the prime minister and the union finance minister," said Antony. A Plantation Standing Committee will be appointed to look into the problems of the sector. Members of the committee will include trade union representatives, estate owners, legislators, government officials and bank representatives. The meeting has also asked the labor secretary to formulate corrective measures and submit them to the cabinet at the earliest. "Once the report is submitted, we will look into what else needs to be done to help the plantation sector come out of the crisis." But opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan, who toured estate areas in Idukki district, blamed the state government for not pressurizing the central government to change its policies. "An accord has turned Sri Lanka into a source of cheap tea and the state government has taken no steps to pressure the center to rectify the anomalies in the accord," said Achuthanandan.
Source: IANS