The Hindu : Kerala News : No decision on food security scheme

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Monday, May 05, 2008
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No decision on food security scheme

Special Correspondent

CPI(M), CPI stick to their respective positions

Differences over two issues
CPI cites Central directive

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the CPI(M) and CPI sticking to their positions on administering the food security scheme mooted by the State Planning Board, the State committee of the ruling Left Democratic Front could not arrive at a decision on the issue at its meeting here on Sunday.

The difference was basically over two issues — who should head the State Food Security Mission and how it should be funded.

The CPI, which controls the Agriculture Department, has been insisting on the Agriculture Minister being the chairperson of the mission.

The party has also put up a opposition to what it sees as attempts to have the schemes coming under the mission implemented with funds already allocated to the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Departments.

The CPI(M) has been insisting on the scheme being implemented under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister with funds already allocated to the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Departments.

The proposal came up before the Cabinet a fortnight ago without much of a discussion at the level of the LDF State committee and was immediately opposed by the CPI Ministers.

The CPI leadership stuck to their guns at the LDF State committee meeting as well. They also cited the Central directive that the mission should be under the chairmanship of the Agriculture Minister with Ministers of Water Resources, Local Self-Government, Energy and Rural Development and the Secretaries concerned as its members.

They also said in none of the State where the mission had been constituted, the Chief Minister had any specific role in it.

With the two sides failing to arrive at a consensus, it was decided to take up the matter again at the next meeting of the LDF to be held on May 20 and 21.

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