ALAPPUZHA: Plight of coir industry, which is going through testing times at present, remains one of the important campaign issues in Mararikkulam constituency in the district.

At a meet-the candidates programme organised by Alappuzha Press Club on Thursday, sitting MLA and LDF candidate T.M. Thomas Isaac said the

State Government failed to implement various decisions taken at meetings of representatives of coir workers and manufacturers, which led to the present crisis. He said the middlemen in coir sector should be done away with and said he had a comprehensive programme for the revival of coir industry.

Mr. Isaac said though he had submitted projects for the revival of sick industries in the constituency, including the Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Autocast Ltd., the Government had refused to cooperate. He said the project being implemented in Mararikkulam with the aid of Union Government for the development of micro industries would be taken forward.

Mr. Isaac also promised to take steps for the construction of a fish landing centre at Chethipozhi in the constituency and to construct a sea wall to protect the coast from sea erosion. He also promised to develop Pathiramanal island as public heritage.

UDF candidate Simi Rosebell John said the MLA was trying to put the blame of backwardness of the constituency on the State Government to cover up his inefficiency. She said the MLA was unapproachable to the public in the constituency after he won.

The BJP candidate Sanu Sudheendran said the development initiatives of Mr. Issac was a publicity effort and lacked sincerity.

He pointed out that common raw material bank of coir fibre started by the MLA had only helped to increased the price of fibre.

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