ALAPPUZHA: Demanding transparency in the implementation of the Kuttanad package, the CPM-backed Kerala Karshaka Sangam will form a human chain on March 29. The chain will cover the Kuttanad region, which is spread over the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta.Karshaka Sangam district president Sreekumaran Thampi said the implementation of the project has been mired in controversy owing to various anomalies. “The M S Swaminathan Commission had stressed on the preservation of ecology and protection of livelihood of Kuttanad farmers. A 15-point charter was prepared for it. In the proposal, the foundation had put forward 59 schemes for the protection of livelihood and preservation of the ecology of the region. But the government gave nod to around 20 government departments to implement the project without setting up an authority to monitor it,” Thampi said.“The bunds were constructed using the pile-and-slab method. It has not been effective. The bunds are not powerful enough to withstand the rush of water,” he said. Sangam Kottayam district secretary M P Joseph said: “For the protection of environment, the MS Swaminathan Commission had clearly recommended the renovation of Thottappilly spillway and the Thanneermukkom bund. But the government didn’t take any steps in this regard.” The Commission had also mentioned that the implementing agency must prioritise the developmental works and entrust the work with special committees. But no committee has been formed yet to monitor it, Joseph said.The Karshaka Sangam is planning protest against the misuse of funds worth crores of rupees allotted to the poor farmers of Kuttanad. The human chain will be the first-of-its-kind agitation. Karshaka Sangam state secretary E P Jayarajan will inaugurate the chain at Alappuzha Municipal Ground. Sangam state president K V Ramakrishnan, MLAs G Sudhakaran and T M Thomas Isaac, former MP C S Sujatha and other state leaders of the Sangam will participate in the public meeting.
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