Kerala   

Food security programme: rift between CPI(M), CPI narrows

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Differences between the CPI(M) and the CPI over the proposed food security programme narrowed down considerably following bilateral discussion between leaders of the two parties here on Thursday.

The discussion centred on the proposals mooted by the CPI(M) on the question of finding resources for implementation of the programme. Indications at the end of the talks were of the possibility of a compromise on the issue when the LDF State committee meets here on Saturday to discuss this and other pressing issues.

The CPI(M) position was that the proposal to ensure Kerala’s food security should be seen as a programme, and not as a scheme or a project, as only a programme could bring together both projects and schemes.

This, it was pointed out, alone would help facilitate utilisation of funds spread over different schemes and projects having implications for the State’s food security.

The CPI leaders sought time to study the proposals put forward by the CPI(M), suggesting that the CPI leadership along with party Ministers would go into a huddle on Friday to see how well the CPI(M) has responded to their concerns. The CPI might well settle for a compromise if some additional funding could be found for the programme as had been sought by the party when the dispute erupted at a weekly Cabinet meeting over a month ago.

There was no discussion on the second contentious issue, that of the Chief Minister becoming the chairperson of the committee that would oversee implementation of the programme.

The party had given up its opposition to the proposal when RSP general secretary T.J. Chandrachoodan mediated between the two sides and came up with a compromise formula. The CPI(M) is understood to have reiterated its determination to make the Chief Minister the chairperson of the committee at Thursday’s meeting.

The meeting also took up the row between the Revenue and Law departments over the takeover of the Golf Club here. It was resolved to advise the departments not to exacerbate the matter further through hasty actions.

There were mild exchanges over the filing of conflicting affidavits in the Kerala High Court by the departments, but the consensus was that any more skirmish between the two departments would only cause further embarrassment to the government and weaken its case in court.

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