Date:19/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/05/19/stories/2005051901291700.htm

Back Rs 256-cr project to tackle TTP pollution issue

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram , May 18

THE Kerala Cabinet has approved a Rs 256.1-crore project to tackle the problem of pollution caused by effluents from the State-owned Travancore Titanium Products Ltd (TTP).

The approval comes in the wake of the closure notice issued by the State Pollution Control Board to the company.

The Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, told newspersons after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the project would be implemented in two phases. The first phase will cost Rs 129.4 crore, while the second phase will be implemented at an outlay of Rs 126.7 crore.

The company on its own will raise the funds for financing the project, which will include loans from banks and financial institutions.

The Chief Minister said now that the project has been finalised, the Government would seek more time from the Pollution Control Board to comply with its norms.

The Cabinet also decided to send a team, led by the Finance and Revenue Ministers, to take part in the `Expo-2005' being held at Nagoya in Japan. The team, which will leave for Japan in June, will also include two MLAs from the ruling combine and one from the Opposition.

Mr Chandy said that Expo-2005, where 120 countries are participating, is designed to look into the possible developments in technological and other spheres over the next 25 years. It would help the State prepare itself to cash in on the emerging opportunities worldwide, he noted.

The Government is also sending a team, headed by the Power and Labour Ministers, to the United Arab Emirates to study the problems of the NRIs working there. The team, slated to leave for the UAE next month, will include MLAs from both ruling and Opposition parties.

The Chief Minister asserted that the Government's top priority is the welfare of the poor in the State and towards this end the "Asraya" project is being strengthened. The other two priority areas are agriculture and traditional industries and the Government is committed to provide all assistance to help the people engaged in these areas.

The focus on attracting investments in information technology and other sectors comes next in line and this is necessary to open up employment opportunities to the teeming educated unemployed youth in the State, he said.