Wheat quota slash unjustified: Food minister

Kochi, Jun 4 (UNI) The Kerala government today termed the Centre's decision to slash wheat quota for the state, as unilateral and an injustice to a new government.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister C Divakaran told a press conference here that Chief Minister V S Achuthandandan had sent a fax message registering protest.

He will also lead a high-level delegation to New Delhi to prevail upon the Centre to revoke the order, he said.

The Minister alleged that the quota was slashed without consulting the state Government. The previous Congress-led Government had agreed to the cut, he charged.

He said he received the message, which was held back due to assembly elections, yesterday informing about the cut in wheat supply and hike in rice quota, maintaining the overall quantum of the past.

Admitting that corruption had taken place in the Civil Supplies Department for long, the Minister informed that he had called for all related files.

I agree that there was a lot of corruption. The Civil Supplies department has been plundered,'' he charged, adding If needed, there will be a CBI probe.

Mr Divakaran, also in charge of animal husbandry and dairy development, said there were allegations that the milk supplied from Tamil Nadu was of low quality and orders were given to hold necessary tests.

Noting that about one crore eggs were still imported from Tamil Nadu every month, he said steps would be taken to achieve self-sufficiency in milk production.

He said a scheme was planned to safeguard the street animals and steps would be taken to contain street dogs.

UNI JA VV RP KN1422