The Hindu : Kerala News : Centre to decide on higher rice price for State today

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Centre to decide on higher rice price for State today

Chief Minister tells Baalu to shift GCT to Pallathurathy

NEW DELHI: The Union Government will take a decision on Wednesday on the Kerala Government's demand for a higher price for the rice supplied to the Food Corporation of India by the State Civil Supplies Corporation, which procured paddy from farmers to ensure a fair price for them, State Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Tuesday.

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar convened a meeting of those concerned here on Wednesday to take a final decision on the matter, he said.

The Chief Minister who discussed the matter with Mr Pawar on Tuesday, told newsmen that if the Centre did not give a higher price for the quantity of rice supplied to the FCI, the State Government would have to bear the losses.

He said the Civil Supplies Corporation had already supplied rice to the FCI after milling the paddy procured from the farmers.

Mr. Chandy said the Power Ministry had released a sum of Rs. 69.4 crores to the State on Tuesday under the Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme. Another Rs. 64 crores was released from the Central Road Fund.

Mr. Chandy said a high level delegation from Qatar would visit the State for three days from Wednesday.

The State Government would submit project proposals to the delegation after knowing their areas of interest for investment during the discussion.

Plea to Baalu

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has requested the Centre to shift the proposed General Cargo Teminal (GCT) from Alappuzha to Pallathurathy to avoid an adverse impact on backwater tourism.

The Chief Minister requested Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T. R. Baalu to to shift the GCT to Pallathurathy to avoid an adverse impact on backwater tourism, including the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.

Following the request, Mr. Baalu asked the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to visit the area on July 1 and make appropriate recommendation after having discussions with the State authorities.

In reply to Mr. Chandy's proposal for a four-lane Sabarimala Road, the Minister said the proposal could be discussed only after the State authorities obtained environmental clearance for it.

Mr. Baalu informed the Chief Minister that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is in progress for the Thiruvananthapuram-Tamil Nadu section of National Highways 47. - UNI & PTI

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