Achuthanandan to lead Kerala delegation to meet PM, Lalu

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 5 (UNI) A delegation led by Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Railways Minister Lalu Prasad to press for the fulfilment of promises the Centre had made during bifurcation of Palakkad railway division.

Addressing reporters after a meeting of MPs from the state, Mr Achuthanandan said he, along with the MPs, would meet Dr Singh and Mr Prasad tomorrow.

About rice quota he said the cutting short of the quota had led to shortage of rice in the state. Food and Civil Supplies Minister C Divakaran would hold talks with the Center to reinstate the quota due to the state.

He asked the MPs from the state to protest against the move for petroleum price hike.

The meeting also decided to protest against the import of palm oil, which had rendered a big blow to the coconut farmers in the state.

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