PALAKKAD: When V.S. Achuthanandan makes his first visit after becoming Chief Minister to his `home district' on Monday, a number of problems are awaiting his immediate attention.

The first and foremost is the issue concerning farmers, particularly the paddy cultivators who are demanding remunerative price for their produce. Although the Government had announced support price for paddy earlier, it was not implemented effectively and the farmers were forced for a distress sale of their produce.

Mr. Achuthanandan, as the then Leader of Opposition, championed the cause of farmers and promised that the new Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government will take steps to solve their problems. Suicide by farmer caught in debt trap need to be tackled. But the relief announced by the Government may not reach them owing to technicalities.

Industries

The district, which was emerging as the second biggest industrial centre in the 1980s and 1990s, has now become a graveyard of industries. A large number of industries have closed down and attempts to revive them did not succeed. Most of the units downed their shutters as their products became uncompetitive after the policy of globalisation and liberalisation.

Mr. Achuthanandan, as Leader of Opposition, took initiatives to call a couple of high-level meetings with Ministers, entrepreneurs and officials to tackle the industrial problem in vain. As Chief Minister he is expected to take some urgent measures for the revival of industries in the area. The district, with its large tracts of evergreen forests and three major rivers, is facing serious environmental problems. The destruction of Bharathapuzha, Bhavani and Siruvani, owing to reckless sand-mining and encroachment, has brought ecological disaster and many parts of Palakkad face water shortage. The new Government is expected to take stringent measures against the destruction of rivers and environment.

Large-scale encroachment of rain forests of Silent Valley, evergreen forests of Nelliampathy, Attappady and Siruvani continues unhindered. The latest was the felling of trees in Sholayur in Attappady Hills. Although the Government promised to bring legislation to curb tree felling, strong political will is required to stop the encroachment of forest. Felling of trees in private estate owners is another problem that needs to be addressed soon. The lease period of some of the estates is getting expired and the Government has to take back these areas. But the private estate lobby is trying to influence some in the ruling front and Government to get these leases renewed. The LDF and Mr. Achuthanandan, who had opposed the renewal of forest leases, are expected to implement their policy while in power.

The Chief Minister, who had taken up the inter-State water problems such as Mullaperiyar and Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP) agreement, is expected to implement the stand taken by him while in Opposition. The farmers of Palakkad, particularly Chittur taluk, depend on PAP water for cultivation. But Tamil Nadu never gives Kerala its due share of water.

Another water related problem is the exploitation of ground water and environment pollution by soft drink giants in Plachimada and in Kanjikode.

Yet another major issue is the restoration of alienated land to tribal people particularly in Attappady. The tribal people are also faced with the problem of lack of facilities for the education of their children.

When the Chief Minister visits the district, there is no Collector to receive him as he has gone on long leave. Ottapalam Sub Collector has been transferred and most of the top posts in the district administration are lying vacant.

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