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Food security programme: decks cleared in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The way has been cleared for implementation of the food security programme. The CPI(M) and the CPI, which were involved in a spat over the method of funding and implementation of the programme for over a month, reached an agreement on the issue on the second day of their bilateral discussion here on Thursday. Under the agreement, Rs.112.50 crore would be allocated specifically for activities aimed at ensuring food security during the current year. This would be in addition to Rs.1,119 crore allotted to the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Water Resources, Local Self-Government and Cooperation Departments in this year’s budget for agricultural and allied activities.

The CPI(M) leadership had passed on a note to the CPI leaders stressing the need to treat the proposal on food security as a programme rather than a scheme or project so that funds from different departments could be marshalled for the purpose and with the offer that Rs.112.50 crore could be sanctioned additionally. The CPI leaders returned to the discussion table on Friday more or less satisfied with the proposals and it was resolved to move ahead with the programme with the Chief Minister as chairperson of the implementation committee and the Agriculture Minister as its convener. There would also be a high-level committee chaired by the Agriculture Production Commissioner to oversee the programme implementation on a regular basis. The CPI(M) proposal that some district panchayat presidents be included in the committee was given up at the instance of the CPI leaders.

Talking to The Hindu, CPI State secretary Veliyam Bhargavan said the LDF would now go to the people with a massive campaign activating LDF committees up to the panchayat level by July and launching district-level campaign programmes in August.

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