The Hindu Business Line : Delay in procurement of paddy — Achuthanandan to launch indefinite fast next week

THE Leader of the Opposition, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, has announced that he would launch an indefinite fast inside the State Assembly from March 9 to protest the delay in procurement of paddy from farmers.

The announcement came even as the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, sought to reassure members that procurement operations will be resumed at the earliest at Rs 750 per quintal.

Participating in the discussion on Demands for Grants, Mr Achuthanandan said the flip-flop on procurement had brought about a crisis situation in the paddy sector. The Opposition had alerted the Government about the brewing crisis as early as 45 days ago but no remedial action was taken.

The procurement agencies have not been given handling charges due to them, making the situation even worse. This was reprehensible behaviour on the part of the Government that had forced the Opposition to got for direct action, Mr Achuthanandan said.

The Chief Minister responded that the State Government would not want to create a situation in which the Opposition Leader was forced to go on a fast. By demanding unrealistic prices, however, the Opposition was creating hurdles in the way of procuring paddy.

Investment in projects: Winding up discussions on Demands for Grants, the Chief Minister said investment proposals worth Rs 49,000 crore were on the anvil, with a major chunk translating into reality during the course of the coming financial year.

During his visit to the State, the Prime Minister had announced Rs 20,000-crore worth of projects, including the Vallarpadam container transhipment terminal and the Kayamkulam thermal power plant expansion. This will be piggybacked by another Rs 3,053 crore worth of investments for widening the National Highway network in the State.

A time-bound programme would be implemented for the revival of traditional industries in the State by inducting new technologies.

Foreign varsities: The Education Minister, Mr Mohammed Basheer, told the House that no policy decision had been taken in respect of allowing foreign universities to set up base in the State.

However, this State could not afford to keep its doors shut to foreign universities for long in the context of globalisation, the Minister said while replying to a submission. The Government was of the view that these universities could be allowed to operate subject to some restrictions.

The State's views in this context had been conveyed to the State Education Ministers' conference held in New Delhi recently, the Minister added.

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