Milma hoardings still carry banned 'fresh and pure' tag

...milk cooperatives across India allegedly use similar slogans

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: The hoardings set up by Milma here still display the banned “fresh and pure” tagline on their advertisements, which was to be removed on Oct 31 as per Kerala High Court order.

 The court had ruled that Milma (Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.) was defrauding consumers by declaring the content as “fresh and pure” as it actually produced skimmed milk.

   However, Milma removed only the tags on the sachets, but not those on the hoardings. Apart from the flex boards at the Milma Dairy here at Vadavathoor, various outlets and booths of the cooperation still display the banned tagline.

   Minister for Dairy Development and Milk Co-operatives KC Joseph said that he will look into the issue and take necessary action, while Dairy Development Department Director KT Sarojini said that she will discuss the matter with Milma authorities.

   An employee at a Milma drive-in parlour here in Changanassery, Stilin Edward, said, “These hoardings are provided by Milma and even the walls are also painted by them. They are responsible for replacing the flex boards.”

   Vadavathoor Dairy Manager Tom Thomas said that the law is discriminating Milma by not taking action against other milk co-operatives that liberally use similar taglines.

   “Many milk unions across India including Reliance Dairy Foods still use tags like “fresh and wholesome” as authorized by the National Dairy Development Board,” said Mr Thomas.

  Another official said that it is a step-by-step procedure and would take a month or two to replace the existing hoardings. “We have to ensure that all the hoardings are uniform and that the print matches with the colour code prescribed by the marketing department," he said.

Major projects of Sabarimala Master Plan still pending

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: Though three-fourth of Sabarimala Master Plan projects have been completed prior to this Mandalam season, some of the major projects are yet to become real owing to red-tape and disagreement among government departments.

   Sabarimala Master Plan consists of projects for the development of Sannidhanam encompassing religious, infrastructural and environmental aspects.

   However, authorities in the High Power Committee for implementing Sabarimala Master Plan assured the remaining projects will be completed within next Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season.

   Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President MP Govindan Nair said, “We expect to complete the three annadana Halls worth Rs 3 crore within this Mandalakalam while the Rs 26-crore Valiyanadapanthal to regulate queue system by the next. However, the cost of these projects has not overrun."

    "Also, tender has been called for a rope-way meant to ease cargo movement for temple needs and construction purposes," Mr Nair said. "Meanwhile, the floor of Nilakkal parking yard, which has a capacity for 1,000 vehicles, has been levelled and will be paved soon."

    However, some of the projects were inaugurated last week like the 45-metre-long, 7-metre-wide underpass here at Marakkoottom, which is constructed to control crowd at the junction of Swamy Ayyappan Road and Chandranandan Road. Ostensibly, the construction of the underpass was lagging due to conflict of interest between the Devaswom and Forest Departments.

    According to the Sabarimala Master Plan, there is limited space to accommodate the surge of pilgrims as the temple is located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

    However, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had reportedly said that projects under Sabarimala Master Plan would not be interrupted and insisted that any appeal against these projects would be redressed only through the Chief Minister's Office.

   The project envisages infrastructure development as well as ecological sustainability. “Our aim is to develop this region into a plastic-free township,” he added.

    Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Sangam President Swamy Ayyappadas said, “The preparations by Travancore Devaswom Board and the High Power Committee are satisfactory this year compared to those before. We also expect them to finish the remaining projects as soon as possible.”

Stagnant Conolly Canal project finally starts flowing

By Sachin Jose
KOZHIKODE: The Conolly Canal was stagnant for the last two years, so was the project to clean it, owing to lack of funds.

However, the cleaning project has finally gained momentum after Rs 2.41 crore was allotted by NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development).

   The 165-year-old canal, built in 1848, was named after HV Conolly, Collector of erstwhile Malabar District. The canal, which is 11.4 km long, connects Kallai and Korapuzha rivers here.

  There was lack of follow-up programmes after a cleaning project conducted in this canal four years ago owing to red-tapism and dearth of funds.

   The local MLA, Pradeep Kumar, said, "Though the Revenue Department allotted Rs five crore four months ago, it was not utilized as there was delay in filing tenders."

   Meanwhile, Irrigation Department Assistant Engineer Ajayan C said, "We have begun measuring water volume at different areas of the canal. The dredging and de-silting projects will be completed by the end of March next year."

   According to a study by Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), the canal water stagnated because of silting at the confluence of the Conolly Canal and the Kallayi River, allowing rampant growth of weeds and water hyacinths in the canal.

   In order to contain the growth of these vegetation, there must be flow of water between the canal and the river, which can be achieved through dredging and de-silting. This makes the canal water saline, making the growth of weeds impossible.

   However, Kozhikode Mayor AK Premajam said, "The present project does not include treatment of sewage water before being released into the canal, but instead unnecessary beautification of side-projections and walkway along the canal is carried out."

   But, A Viswanathan, Secretary of Conolly Canal Development Committee said that the beautification is done to refurbish the canal premises and can be exploited to create awareness among people so that they will not litter the canal.

   Officials of Irrigation Department assure that once the canal is dredged and de-silted, it can be used for irrigation, fishing and transportation.