Kerala - Kozhikode   

Central package inadequate: CPI leader

Special Correspondent

KOZHIKODE : CPI leader and State general secretary of All-India Kisan Sabha Sathyan Mokeri has said the farmers' relief package for the State sanctioned by the Centre is woefully inadequate and bound to evoke deep dissatisfaction among farmers.

Mr. Mokeri said in Kozhikode on Saturday it was quite surprising the Central assistance turned out to be far short of what was needed even after Union Minister of Agriculture Sharad Pawar visited the State for a first hand feel of the crisis.

The Central package offered interest-subsidy on farm loans in three districts.

Half of the subsidy had to be borne by the State Government, he said.

Subsidy on interest alone was not enough, Mr. Mokeri said and demanded there should be provisions for waiver of outstanding farm loans, refinancing schemes, and arrangements to ensure remunerative prices for farm produces if effective relief was to be provided for farmers caught in debt trap.

Out of Rs.765 crore sanctioned for the package to the State, as much as Rs.369 crore was earmarked for waiver of interest.

The rest was for other schemes in farm sector.

There should have been more funds for schemes to generate income in animal husbandry sector, the CPI leader said. He urged the Centre to provide relief schemes for farmers of Idukki and Alappuzha districts.

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