Kochi: The Kerala government has decided to give more powers to the district tourism promotion council, according to state Minister for Tourism and Fisheries K V Thomas.

Inaugurating the Rs 50-lakh waterside amenity-cum-boat terminal at Kumarakom near Kottayam, Thomas said the district collector will be the chairman of the implementing committee of the council. "The executive committee of the council comprises the MPs, MLAs, panchayat presidents and block presidents. The functioning of the council will be totally free from any sort of politics."

Thomas said the central government share of the terminal is about Rs 21 lakh. A desalination and filtration plant will also be set up in the area. "A model project has been set up at Kumbalangi in Aluva with a capacity of 22,000 litres of water. Another project to remove weeds from lake and river will be set up soon."

He said the central aid for the projects is getting without any delay. "There is no shortage of funds. We have to submit the accounts whenever the project is over."