Kerala to get Rs 200 crore under Centre's package

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 29 (UNI) Union Commerce Secretary G K Pillai today said that Kerala would get Rs 200 crore under the special package announced by the Centre recently for replantation and rejuvenation of tea.

Addressing a news conference here, he said out of the allotment of Rs 200 crore, Rs 40 crore would be released before March.

Mr Pillai said another package for reopening the closed tea estates was under the consideration of the Union Government.

Nearly 20 tea estates employing 10,000 workers remained closed in Kerala.

Mr Pillai said the Centre also proposed to formulate packages for other crops like cardamom, pepper and coffee.

He said a Rs 191-crore project submitted by the Kerala government for the revival of the cashew sector was under the consideration of the Centre.

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