Communist Party of India (Marxist) Central Committee member T.M. Thomas Isaac, MLA, has said that agricultural scientist and visionary M.S. Swaminathan himself is the best person to set to rest the ongoing debate on the implementation of the Kuttanad Package. The package was designed by Dr. Swaminathan in 2007.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday after launching the ‘Kuttanad Package Newsletter,' monthly publication brought out by the Kerala Karshaka Sanghom to monitor the implementation of the package, Dr. Isaac said there were lots of allegations and differences of opinion over the manner in which the package was being implemented. The construction of outer bunds, the technology used for the same, and the prioritisation of projects to be implemented were among the contentious issues. The best person to hear all versions and decide on the right path would be Dr. Swaminathan himself, he said.
Welcoming the move to convene the Kuttanad Prosperity Council's next sitting at Kuttanad instead of Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. Isaac said it was good that Dr. Swaminathan had been invited to be part of the discussion. At the same time, the State government should take an immediate decision on the issue of drinking water supply in Kuttanad. The Rs.425-crore drinking water project included in the package would take several years to be completed. Hence, setting up reverse osmosis (RO) plants and pumping stations across Kuttanad would be the right interim choice, one that would be lighter on the State's coffers, he said, adding that rainwater harvesting structures also should be encouraged.
Suggesting that cleaning of canals and steps to curb pollution of Vembanad Lake by houseboats also be included in the package, Dr. Isaac said there were several factories which were dumping sewage and hazardous waste into the lake. Funds from the Suchitwa Mission or from the Ramsar Site allowances could be used for this, he said.
The newsletter would be part of the efforts to ensure public monitoring of the package's implementation. Details of what should have been done every month and what was done would be published after inspections by public committees apart from providing the official version.
