Farmers need relief measures not promises: Kerala Cong (M) MLA

Kottayam, Mar 24 (UNI) Kerala Congress (M) MLA K M Mani, today said the farmers need immediate relief measures and not mere promises from the government.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Mani alleged that the state government was not taking appropriate steps to implement their promises.

Stating that the present relief measures was inadequate, he said the farmers should be given special consideration in the wake of unseasonal rain in the state.

The paddy procurement price should be increased to Rs 12 per kg from Rs 10 and immediate steps be taken to give adequate compensation to crop growers, Mr Mani said.

He further appealed to the Centre to reconsider the export-import policy, as the ban on the export of edible oil and the reduction of palm oil import duty would cripple the economy of the state.

A farmers' meet would be held at Alappuzha on April 22 under the auspices of the 'Kerala Congress Aikya Vedi' in protest against the state government's inaction to resolve the crisis in the agriculture sector, he said.

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