THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Government would soon introduce in the Assembly a Bill with strong provisions to stop paddy field reclamation in the State, Agriculture Minister Mullakara Ratnakaran has said.

At a press conference here on Thursday, he said the draft of the Bill was ready and was being vetted by the Law Department.

"I have sought the Chief Minister's permission to present the Bill in the next session of the Assembly," Mr. Ratnakaran said.

The area under paddy in the State had dwindled from 7,30,379 hectares in 1985 to just 2,76,742 hectares now. Paddy field reclamation could now be checked only as per the Kerala Land Utilisation Rules, which were not strong enough to deal with the harmful tendency.

A law with strong provisions was long overdue, the Minister said.

He said he had issued directions to his department to take action against agriculture officials recommending reclamation of paddy fields. The Revenue Minister, on his part, was keeping a close watch on whether the District Collectors were giving permits to reclaim paddy fields. He said he had requested the Revenue Minister to be strict with such District Collectors.

He said the Government proposed to reintroduce the `group farming' system to improve the production and profitability of paddy cultivation.

The farmers' groups would be provided with financial assistance and farm implements. Paddy procurement would be strengthened, he said.

The Government would prepare a detailed plan of action to boost paddy production and improve profitability, he said.

The Government would organise a convention of farmers, environmentalists and social workers next month to launch a movement for conserving paddy fields.

Leading environmentalists such as Vandana Shiva and Medha Patkar would be invited to the convention.

As a first step, the Government would declare certain areas in Alappuzha and Palakkad district as `paddy field sanctuaries.'

There had been a noticeable increase in paddy production in Alappuzha and Thrissur districts last year. The target this year was to achieve 30 per cent increase in paddy production in the State, he added.

The Agriculture Department would organise district-level farmers' conventions and panchayat-level adalats to examine farmers' problems and initiate remedial measures.

The State level inauguration of this programme would be held at Wadakkancherry in Palakkad district on Saturday, he said.

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