The Hindu Business Line : Food processing to be given pride of place in Kerala

FOOD processing will be given a pride of place in the State's industrial scheme of things, according to the Industries Minister, Mr P.K. Kunhalikkutty.

Food processing will be treated on a par with information technology and biotechnology insofar as the future development of the State's industry is concerned, he said. The Government has worked out various schemes with a view to creating a global market for branded food items from the State.

A number of related industrial units have been set up in various industrial parks in the State. The real challenge lay in being able to brand the products and appropriately packaging them. It was regrettable to find the domestic market flooded with imported items when the State had proven traditional strengths in those very items.

The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) has formally been declared as the nodal agency for promoting food processing industrial units in the State. Kinfra has set up infrastructural facilities, mainly industrial parks, at Kakkanchery (Kozhikode), Mazhuvannur (Ernakulam) and Wayanad.

The State Government proposes to launch the "Kerala" branded products at the Dubai Trade Fair next year, the Minister added.

Bill referred to panel: Meanwhile, the House referred a Bill seeking to enact a uniform law covering irrigation, water conservation and management and dam safety to a Subject Committee.

In his reply at the end of discussions on the subject, the Water Resources Minister, Mr T.M. Jacob, said the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Bill, 2003, would effectively replace a grouping of nine Acts enacted at various points of time in the past and which were applicable to individual geographies within the State.

A Dam Safety Authority would be set up for evaluating the safety aspects of all dams in the State. It would also be vested with the powers "to activate any alteration, improvement or replacement of all or any part of the dam that has been found to be in a hazardous condition", the Minister said.

One of the provisions in the Bill stipulated that a resolution should be adopted by the Assembly before the State enters into any agreement with other States on the use of its water resources.

He said the Bill was aimed at consolidating several old Acts on dams which were still in force in the State. On the safety of Mullapperiyar dam, he said though the agency deputed by the Central Water Commission had certified that it was safe, the State had concern over its safety.

A team of experts assigned by the State Government had found that it was not safe, he said.

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