Centre finds anomalies in package implementation

ALAPPUZHA: The Central team which visited the construction sites coming under the Kuttanad package on Friday found anomalies in the implementation of the package. The team, led by Sudha Pillai, Member Secretary of the Planning Commission, found violation in the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations. Sudha Pillai and Additional Chief Secretary K Jayakumar told mediapersons, after a visit to  Kuttanad, that they found variations in the implementation and recommendations of the Commission.The team members said that an environment impact assessment must be conducted before the construction of the outer bunds. In the recommendations, it was clearly mentioned that an environment impact assessment (EIA) should be conducted before the implementation.Sudha Pillai said that the team would submit a report on the visit to the Prime Minister within a week. The team members said that there was failure in the prioritisation of the projects. In the initial stages, the outer bund was constructed in Rani and Chithira paddyfields which have been lying barren for the past few years. But the farmers and people’s representatives who met the team said that the Irrigation Department gave priority to these paddyfields to protect the interests of some people. The team members said that they would look into the matter and take necessary steps to rectify the mistakes.Jayakumar said: “ The team found irregularities in the implementation of the project. Only 10 per cent of the work has begun. So we have enough time to correct the mistakes. We will submit a report to the Chief Secretary and will take steps to rectify the mistakes in the next meeting of the  Kuttanad Prosperity Council.”