Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 (KNN) The Kerala Minister for Finance K.N. Balagopal on Tuesday said that the state government will soon come up with more projects to revive the cashew sector.

The Finance minister while flagging off the first consignment of one lakh cashew packets to Supplyco depot in Nedumangad, Thiruvanathapuram said that the government has already made many major interventions in the sector including financial assistance to keep it afloat.

“Interest-free loans and provision to restructure loans were also provided while more labourers were inducted into government-run factories and gratuity arrears was disbursed,” he said.

As per reports, in the coming days an estimate of around 400 tonnes of cashew will be procured and a total of 80 lakh cashew sachets will be distributed. This in return will help Kerala State Cashew Workers Apex Industrial Cooperative Society (Capex) and Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) to earn nearly Rs 40 crore during the festival season.

Similar initiative was taken by the state government last year to protect the sector from crises.

While Corporation chairman S. Jayamohan presided over the function, Capex chairman M. Sivasankara Pillai, director Rajesh Ramakrishnan, trade union representatives, officials, and labourers were amongst those present at the flagging off ceremony.  (KNN Bureau)