The Hindu : Kerala News : Test feasibility of paddy Bill, says Infam

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Test feasibility of paddy Bill, says Infam

Special Correspondent

KOZHIKODE: The Indian Farmers Movement (Infam) has suggested that the provisions of the Bill on protection of paddy fields and wetlands be first put to test in a taluk or district to see its effectiveness before making it a law.

Infam has placed its views on the Bill before the Assembly select committee, which is holding sittings in various places to gauge public reaction to its provisions. Infam believes the provisions of the Bill in its present form would lead to persecution of farmers and corruption.

‘Identify reasons’

It said before the Bill is made a law, the reasons that had led to decline of paddy cultivation should be identified. Farmers had switched over from paddy cultivation to more profitable crops due to labour problems, steadily rising labour costs and acute shortage of agricultural labourers during the sowing and harvest seasons. Lack of irrigation facilities and protests against mechanisation of farming operations had compounded these problems.

As these conditions still prevailed in our State, it was natural to have doubts on whether the government would be successful in reviving paddy farming, it said.

Infam also believes that it would not be fair to deny farmers their right to grow crops of their choice. In its representation, Infam said an individual should have the right to convert at least 10 cents of paddy field for the purpose of building a house if he does not have an alternative housing site. Places of worship, educational institutions and playgrounds should be included in the list of public needs for which paddy land could be converted to construct buildings.

Water conservation

Infam also advocates another approach to the question of protecting sources of water.

In its view, there is no need to protect and conserve all paddy fields and wetlands in their present form, as a number of them dry up in summer. For these water bodies to be truly useful, big ponds have to be built there.

To ensure availability of water for human beings and animals, the government should construct one pond in every 10 acres in every village, Infam suggested.

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