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Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala State Land Use Board project to transform wasteland in Kattakada assembly constituency into fertile farmland
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala State Land Use Board (KSLUB) identified 271.22 hectares of wasteland, including private land, in the six panchayats under Kattakada assembly constituency as part of 'Jaivasamridhikoppam Kattakada' project. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative is envisioned to convert cultivable wastelands in the constituency into agricultural lands, promote organic farming and achieve agricultural self-sufficiency. The project is being implemented in Malayinkeezhu, Pallichal, Kattakada, Vilavoorkal, Vilappil and Maranalloor panchayats. As a preliminary step, a fruit-plant cluster is being formed at Keleswaram in Pallichal and a Poshaka Thottam of medicinal plants at Kulathottumala in Kattakada. Fruit crops are being planted at Pottayil in Vilavoorkal and mushroom cultivation is already taking place in Vilappil. Vegetables, plantain crops and watermelon cultivation are also ongoing in Maranalloor. The fallow lands were identified through a survey conducted by KSLUB officials with the help of village officers and officials from the agriculture department, fisheries, animal husbandry, local self-department and others. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and Kudumbasree workers are also involved in the process. Landowners will receive the necessary assistance to start farming, and if they are not interested, the land will be leased for farming with the help of interested farming groups. "The project was even lauded at the UN as a 'model of convergence' as it is implemented with the cooperation of various departments. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It was planned with zero budget and if funds are needed, they can be made available from the plan funds of all the departments. KSLUB has prepared a crop calendar featuring short-term crops that will yield by the Onam season, as well as long-term crops for obtaining yields over longer periods. In the crop calendar, suitable untapped crops have been recommended to ensure better returns for farmers. Other variety crops such as rambutan, groundnuts, sweet potato and corn are also being planted. In 20 acres, paddy will be cultivated and in 25 acres, rambutan," said IB Satheesh, MLA. A registration drive will also be held in the constituency to find youngsters willing to commence farming on leased lands, the officials said. "The department has also put forward a product plan for the constituency. The project also focuses on the industrial processing of agricultural produce and converting it into value-added products through initiatives undertaken by the industries department. Land use maps, including survey numbers, have been made available to agricultural officers as part of the project. Based on the crop suitability assessment as per field surveys, slope, soil type and land use pattern of the region, as well as on the grounds of field verification, a draft DPR has been prepared wherein suitable crops are suggested," said land use commissioner Yasmin L Rasheed.
New Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Human chain in Kerala's Kattakkada today to combat drug abuse
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a move to put a stop to the growing menace of drug abuse, over one lakh people will come together to form a 18-km-long human chain in Kattakada on Saturday. The anti-drug movement began on April 16 in the Kattakada Assembly constituency aimed at building people's resistance against drug use and trafficking. The human chain will be formed at 4.30 pm from Kundamankadavu to Mandapathinkadavu. Under the leadership of MLA I B Satheesh, residents from all seven panchayats and 22 departments within the constituency will join forces. In the run-up to the human chain, cultural processions were held across six panchayats in the constituency on May 7 and campaign began at Mandapathinkadavu, on the banks of Neyyar, under the banner 'Kattakada against Drugs' on April 16.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Survey finds gaps in toilet, power access in Kattakada
Thiruvananthapuram: The goal of achieving 100% electricity and toilet coverage in all households remains unmet in the Kattakada assembly constituency. A recent survey conducted by Asha and Anganwadi workers revealed that 69 houses are still without electricity, and 71 households lack access to toilets. The data was gathered by the district office of the Kerala state economics and statistics department under the 'Samagram Kattakada' project. The initiative aims to assess the living conditions of residents and was launched as a pilot programme in Kattakada, with plans to expand it to other constituencies in the future. Kattakada MLA IB Satheesh said he was unaware of the findings but assured that he would look into the matter and take appropriate steps to resolve the issues. The survey found that houses without electricity are spread across Pallichal (20), Vilappil (21), Malayinkeezhu (2), Vilavoorkal (6), Maranalloor (18), and Kattakada (2). Meanwhile, the absence of toilet facilities was reported in 25 houses in Vilappil, 22 in Maranalloor, 18 in Pallichal, and six in Kattakada. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest $200 in Amazon without buying stocks to earn a second salary Marketsall Sign Up Undo Several families said they had applied for electricity connections, but their requests remain pending with the Kerala State Electricity Board. Officials have reportedly cited the unavailability of electric poles and technical difficulties as reasons for inaction. In total, 71 families in the constituency reported practicing open defecation. "It's extremely difficult sometimes. We had approached the panchayat for toilets, but the delay continues. Still, we're hopeful," said Lalitha M, a resident of Vilappil. The survey also revealed that the state govt's extreme poverty eradication mission has yet to make an impact in the constituency. As many as 554 families were identified as living in extreme poverty, while 225 families were classified under the extreme weaker section. "I was aware that the survey was underway, but I haven't received the final report. I will check why these households haven't received basic facilities and ensure the necessary actions are taken," said the MLA. Local panchayat leaders also pledged quick intervention. "We will review the list of affected families and investigate the reasons for rejection. Appropriate measures will be implemented immediately," said A Suresh Kumar, president of Maranalloor panchayat
