FM's failure to ensure fair price to farm produce criticised

Kochi, Mar 1 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today criticised Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram for not taking any initiative to ensure fair price to farmers for their produce.

Delivering the inaugural speech at the 13th Kerala Newspaper Employees Federation here, Mr Achuthanandan said '' farmers are at the receiving end as they are not getting a minimum price for their produce in this globalised economic scenario.'' He said the Centre's decision to reduce the import duty on agricultural produce would adversely affect the interests of the local farmers.

Hailing the Centre's massive farm loan waiver, Mr Achuthanandan said '' the farmers are forced to commit suicide as they are not getting fair price for their produce to repay the loans.'' He said the passing of Debt Relief Bill for farmers in Kerala had drastically reduced the suicide rate among farmers in all districts, including Wayanad.

The pension scheme for non-journalists, which was announced by the last LDF Government, would be effectively implemented after sorting out certian technical problems in the scheme.

Later, talking to reporters, Mr Achuthanandan said a new package would be announced for those, whose land had been acquired for constructing road connectivity for the Vallarpadam project.

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