Alappuzha 04-02-2012: The second edition International Coir Festival was inaugurated by CM here today. Inaugurating the festival, CM said that the tourists should be attracted to the State using the facilities of the coir industry and also arrangements should be made for them to watch the process of producing coir.

The CM said that the coir industry which employs 3.25 lakh people in the State, is a priority sector for the Government. Referring to the shortage of coconut husk as one of the difficulties faced by the State coir industry, he said that it was shameful that the State, which is the land of coconuts, was not able to procure the raw materials. This is a challenge for us. We will utilize the services of various voluntary and self-help groups including the Kudumbashree for procuring the coconut husk, he said.

He also promised to take up with the Finance Minister the issue of disbursing special benefits to nearly 16,000 coir workers who had retired between 1989 and 2006.