The Hindu Business Line : Kollam ‘growth pole’ project to improve status of workers

Thiruvananthapuram, April 6 The ‘growth pole’ project proposed in Kollam district in Kerala, which aims at improving the economic and social status of workers in the unorganised sectors like cashew, coir and fisheries, is envisaged to cost Rs 152.60 crore.

The State Government has prepared a detailed project report for the purpose and submitted it to the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector. Kollam is one among the six districts in the country selected for implementing the ‘growth pole’ project concept on a pilot basis.

Objectives

The Chairman of the commission, Dr Arjun K. Sengupta, said here on Saturday that the objectives of the project included expanding production and employment in the unorganised enterprises through clusters; conducting benchmark study on required technology interventions, entrepreneurship and latest trends in various major sectors in Kollam; and to provide assistance in the lagging areas.

In the cashew sector, the proposed interventions cover improved process efficiencies in different unit types; grading, re-grading packing, research and development, and better safety, health and environment.

In the fisheries sector, the focus areas will be improvements in value addition and inculcating standard processes in handling, among other things.

For the coir sector, the over-arching objective is to revive Kollam as a preferred production centre with concurrent strategy for skill diversification to reduce dependence on a single source.

The focus areas will be the improved collection of locally available husk, upgradation and installation of new defibring units, and expanding to shell-based products.

The project in Kollam will also encompass tourism, handicrafts and related local enterprises.

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