PM promises special package for plantations in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 1 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said his government would soon come out with a financial package for plantation crops and traditional industries in Kerala.

Addressing a special convention of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) here, he said the scheme was under preparation after the recent visit of Commerce Minister Kamal Nath to Kerala in this regard.

He said the UPA government had sanctioned projects totalling Rs 22,000 crore since it came to power. He said the Centre would be responsive to the state's needs in the future also.

He said the International Container Trans-shipment Terminal in Kochi and the expansion of the National Thermal Power Corporation's project at Kayamkulam would be materialised soon. Similarly, work on the LNG Terminal in Kochi was also progressing, Dr Singh added.

Dr Singh said two districts in Kerala had been included under the special package for the agriculture sector announced by the Centre recently.

He said the Centre had responded favourably to Kerala's needs by sanctioning projects aimed at the development of the state.

The Prime Minister called upon Congress workers in the state to take the message of development to the people and make them aware of the schemes being implemented by the Centre for their welfare and progress of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister A K Antony said the UPA Government would continue to provide all possible assistance for development of Kerala and expressed the hope that the Congress would return to power in the next assembly election.

Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi asked the Congress workers to educate the people on the development projects sanctioned by the UPA Government headed by Dr Singh.

KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said it was the previous Congress-led UDF Government which set a development agenda for the state and the present LDF Government could not deviate from it.

Congress Working Committee member in-charge of Kerala M Veerappa Moily also addressed the convention.

UNI PMM AK VV1534