Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac on Wednesday attempted to blunt the criticism that he had given short shrift to Idukki district in the 2019-20 State Budget by announcing a ₹5,000-crore special package for the development of the hilly region.

Concluding the general discussion on the budget, Dr. Isaac announced an amalgam of Central and State schemes to dispel the impression that there was a yawning disparity in allocation of resources between Idukki and other districts. Floods and landslips had ravaged the region last monsoon, crippling its tourism and agriculture sectors.

Consolidated amount

Dr. Isaac said the government hoped to raise a consolidated amount of ₹1,500 crore this fiscal to resurrect Idukki's economy. The State would channelise the funds to boost production of tea, pepper, cardamom, value-added fruit, livestock, poultry and dairy products.

The government would divert some funds to rehabilitate people who lost their houses and livelihoods in the monsoon havoc last August. Completion of the medical college hospital and welfare of tribal communities were the other priorities, Dr. Isaac said.

He promised more tourism clusters and circuits with a particular accent on hydel tourism and allocated money to complete the final phase of the Idukki Botanical Garden. He said the cash for the initial phase of the Idukki scheme would come from State Plan funds (₹550 crore), Central schemes (₹100 crore), local bodies (₹350 crore), KIFFB (₹250 crore) and the Rebuild Kerala initiative (₹250 crores).

The Minister also expanded the package for Kuttanad by setting apart more funds to conserve the ecologically sensitive wetlands and lagoons in Vembanad, Ashtamudi and Sasthamcotta.