The Hindu : New Delhi News : State delegation meets Manmohan

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State delegation meets Manmohan

Special Correspondent

Team led by Achuthanandan, Chandy takes up High Court Bench issue

VS wants quota of rice for APL families restored
Seeks subsidy for coconut oil

NEW DELHI: Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy on Saturday sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention in the establishment of a permanent Bench of the High Court in Thiruvananthapuram.

The two headed a five-member delegation – other members being Kerala Law Minister M. Vijay Kumar and Lok Sabha members Panniyan Ravindran and Varkala Radhakrishnan – that urged the Prime Minister to concede this long-standing demand.

The State government’s contention is that Thiruvananthapuram is the only State capital in the country without a High Court Bench.

Also, it was pointed out that there was a High Court Bench in the city till 1958. So, the team argued, it was just a question of reinstating it and not actually setting up a new one.

The delegation drew the attention of the Prime Minister to the agitation that has being going on for over 200 days.

This joint memorandum apart, the Chief Minister also urged the Prime Minister to restore Kerala’s quota of rice for Above Poverty Line (APL) families to 2006-07 levels.

In 2006-07, APL quota of rice for Kerala was 1,13,420 MT per month. Stating that denial of adequate APL rice would create a critical situation in this food deficit State, he also sought an additional allocation of 1,00,000 MT rice to the State for the Onam season.

On power shortage

Referring to the acute power shortage being faced by the State due to a weak monsoon, the Chief Minister said Kerala’s share from the Central pool should be restored.

Another demand made to the Prime Minister pertained to extension of subsidy proposed for imported edible oils to coconut oil.

Referring to the Rs.15 subsidy announced for imported edible oil distributed through the Public Distribution System, Mr. Achuthanandan pointed out that this would have an adverse impact on the coconut farmers.

On the Deep Water International Container Transshipment Terminal that is to come up at Vizhinjam, the Chief Minister pointed out to the Prime Minister that clearance was awaited from the Union Home Minister and the Cabinet Secretariat. He sought the Prime Minister’s intervention in this regard.

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