The Hindu : State abandons hope on Pooyamkutty

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 28, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

State abandons hope on Pooyamkutty

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM June 27. Kerala has virtually abandoned the proposal to set up a 240 MW hydel project at Pooyamkutty since it has become evident that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest will not clear it.

Replying to a question in the State Assembly today, the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, said there was no point in wasting energy on trying to get clearance for this project. Several environmental organisations in the State had taken up this issue with the Centre, he added.

Mr. Antony said, instead, the State would prepare fresh hydel scheme proposals which would not be objectionable from the conservation angle.

His reply was in response to a question from T.K. Balan and V. Chenthamarakshan. They wanted to know what the State Government had done to convince the Centre about the significance of this project to the State.

Biotechnology parks:

The Industries Minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty, replying to another question, said the Kerala Infrastructure Development Corporation would be setting up exclusive `biotechnology parks' in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.

The State expects to get a Central assistance of Rs. 10 crores for investment in biotechnology during the current financial year.

In addition to this, the State budget has earmarked a sum of Rs. 2 crores for the field. Mr. Kunhalikutty said the strategy of the Government was to develop biotechnology in the joint sector here.

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