The Union government has extended the time frame for completion of various works proposed under the Kuttanad Package to December 2016.
Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph told The Hindu over phone from Thiruvalla that the Union government had changed its decision not to extend the tenure of the package following representations submitted by the State. “They had taken the position that the time frame for implementation of the package had ended in 2012. We explained the reasons why we could not stick to the time frame, and could convince them about the need to extend it,” Mr. Joseph said.
The Central decision will help the State go ahead with work in 231 paddy polders of Kuttanad having a total outlay of Rs.379.05 crore and 12 works with a total outlay of Rs.248.39 crore for the Onattukara region. Simultaneously, the Union government has also issued orders extending the time frame for completion of work in 14 paddy polders in Kuttanad falling under Group 1 and work in four polders in the backwater area up to March 2015. The Kuttanad batch of works has an outlay of Rs.24.70 crore, and the latter an outlay of Rs.118.913 crore.
Mr. Joseph said one highlight of the Central decision was that relating to the renovation of the Thanneermukkom bund at an estimated cost of Rs.255.34 crore under the Flood Management Scheme (FMS). Earlier, there was resistance to this from the Centre. The State government could not take up many of the schemes under the package as contractors were reluctant to take up work. Steps would be taken to tide over such difficulties, and the government was hopeful that it would be able to complete the various works within the stipulated time frame, the Minister said.
