The Hindu : Front Page : Law to check filling of paddy fields

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006
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Law to check filling of paddy fields

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Government proposes to enact a law to check the filling of paddy fields.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan announced this while inaugurating the State-level observance of World Food Day here on Monday.

He called for introspection on the extent of utilisation of fertile land by the people of the State at least on the occasion of the World Food Day.

Dependent State

He urged the people to realise that even during these modern times, agriculture was the basis of life. Rice was the staple food of the people of Kerala. The paddy fields had to be protected in order to ensure the availability of rice. Kerala at present produced only 5 lakh tonnes of paddy. It was much less than the requirement of the State. The people of the State were more interested in filling paddy fields than in protecting them. They were dependant on other States for all their requirements. They did not realise that they would have to starve if there was a drought or a vehicle strike.

The Chief Minister objected to the characterisation of those who took a strong stand against the destruction of paddy fields as old fashioned. He stressed the need for concerted efforts to protect paddy cultivation.

Matter of concern

Food and Civil Supplies Minister C.Divakaran, who presided, said that the world community's hunger could be satisfied only through the existence and development of the agriculture sector. The fall in investment in the agriculture sector was a matter of concern. The private sector should join hands with the public sector in order to bring about a change in the scenario.

The distribution of food items at reasonable prices to the people was as important as their production. For that, the public distribution system had to be expanded. The noon meal scheme in schools, ICDS and employment generation schemes ensured food security. The World Food Day was being observed to ensure the protection of these schemes even during these modern times, he said.

V. Sivankutty and V. Surendran Pillai, legislators, Rajan Khobragade, Food and Public Distribution Secretary and Thomas C.George, Civil Supplies Commissioner were among those who attended the function.

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