Thiruvananthapuram, Friday 21 November 2008: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan welcomed the Centre’s decision to accord sanction to the Rs 1,226 crore ‘Idukki package’, for the revival of cash crop sector of the district, prepared by eminent agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan.

This package would solve the problems of farmers to a great extend, VS said Schemes under the project would be submitted to Centre soon after getting the details of the package, he added.

State Agriculture Minister Mullakara Ratnakaran while welcoming the decision wanted the Centre to sanction the funds without any delay.

KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala and Opposition leader Oommen Chandy also welcomed the Centre’s decision.Oommen Chandy asked the state government to prepare the schemes under the package and submit it to Centre without delay.