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Coir panel moots massive mechanisation

Special Correspondent

Apex Body for Coir for comprehensive growth of the sector recommended

Anathalavattom Anandan, MLA, headed the panel.

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Coir Commission has recommended a huge outlay for coir development and a massive programme of mechanisation to boost production and productivity.

The commission, headed by CPI (M) MLA Anathalavattom Anandan, in its report presented to the government on Friday, suggested an outlay of Rs.450 crore for implementing a rehabilitation programme over a period of four years.

It suggested three special programmes for procuring husk involving husk agents, besides setting up husk procurement cooperatives and a procurement consortium. It also recommended an annual outlay of Rs.13.77 crore for husk procurement, including a subsidy component.

The commission said 100 defibreing units would be set up using the beater technology both in the private and cooperative sector. It suggested an outlay of Rs.18.80 crore for this scheme, under which the private sector would be eligible for 50 per cent subsidy and the cooperative sector 75 per cent subsidy.

It also suggested installing 10,500 automatic spinning machines in the private and cooperative sector to replace the current traditional ratts to boost productivity. It wanted the government to promote three types of fibering methods, including the traditional one. It earmarked an outlay of Rs.15 crore for this under a special package. It also recommended modernisation of looms to reduce the skulduggery of workers.

Another major recommendation is to revamp coir cooperatives to improve their efficiency and expand operations. The commission also recommended several welfare measures for employees.

It also recommended setting up of coir machinery manufacturing facilities, including maintenance and repair at a cost of Rs.30 crore.

The commission recommended an Apex Body for Coir (ABC) for the comprehensive growth of the sector. The ABC will be modelled after the Planning Board, with the Minister as chairman and an expert as vice-chairman. The ABC will be entrusted with the task of issuing guidelines and overseeing the implementation of government policies. The report was presented to Coir Minister G. Sudhakaran.

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