'Response to Vidarbha-model package positive'

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthananthan today said the Centre's response to the state's demands on a host of issues, including a special 'Vidarbha-model' package for the crisis-ridden farm sector, had been positive.

On his return here after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Union ministers in Delhi, Achuthananthan said he expected that the Centre would take steps on the detailed memorandum seeking Central assistance for farm sector, among other things.

The PM had promised to visit the state soon and was expected to make some concrete announcement regarding the farm sector package and lay the foundation stone for the Vizinjam port near here.