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Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008
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Cabinet fails to approve programme

Special Correspondent

Special meet discusses comprehensive plan for improving food production

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Special Cabinet meeting, convened on Tuesday to discuss a comprehensive programme for improving food production in the State, failed to arrive at a decision on account of differences among Ministers.

The Ministers from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India reportedly differed on the manner of implementation and funding for the programme. After half an hour’s discussions, the Ministers resolved to refer the issue to the Left Democratic Front State committee.

The Chief Minister suggested that a Cabinet subcommittee oversee the implementation of the programme. However, the CPI Ministers wanted the programme to be implemented by the Food and Civil Supplies and Agriculture departments under them. They sought special funding for the programme.

The Chief Minister later denied any differences in the Cabinet. An official release said the Cabinet had undertaken preliminary discussions on the programme aimed at increasing production of foodgrains, milk, egg and meat.

The project would be finalised after detailed discussions.

Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac told journalists that his department had not objected to the programme. The expenditure would have to be met from existing Plan allocations.

The programme proposed insurance cover for paddy cultivators and measures for cultivation of fallow fields, besides scheme to improve production.

Insurance is being proposed as the government is finding it difficult to compensate farmers fully for crop loss.

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