Kerala Oppn leader hits out at LDF Govt

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 28 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy today alleged that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government was cheating the paddy farmers, already hit hard by a financial crisis.

In a letter, a copy of which was released to the media here, he urged the Food and Civil Supplies Minister to take immediate steps for clearing the dues to be paid to the farmers for procuring paddy.

The government had to pay Rs 17 crore to peasants in Palakkad towards procurement of paddy, Rs 7 crore in Kottayam and Rs 35 crore in Alappuzha, he said.

Noting that the ryots were struggling to make both ends meet, Mr Chandy condemned the government's ''cruel'' attitude for not clearing the dues even after the monsoon had set in.

He said the government should take immediate steps to help the farmers, who were on the verge of committing suicide following the severe financial crisis.

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