The Hindu Business Line : Increase in food production prime task before Kerala: CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Stating that to increase foodgrain production to achieve self-reliance was a prime task before the state, the Kerala Chief Minister, Mr V S Achuthanandan on Friday hit out at the Centre for steeply slashing the rice quota of the food- deficit state.

While industrial, IT and tourism sectors in Kerala were on a fast-growth track, the dwindling farm production, power crunch caused by climate change and scanty rains, and the crisis in the Public Distribution System (PDS) inflicted by the Centre were gra ve issues to be addressed seriously, he said in his Independence Day address at Central Stadium here.

The Chief Minister said his government was committed to providing land for all landless families and for that the process of retrieving surplus land would continue.

Mr Achuthanandan called upon the people to build a social vigil against atrocities on women and children, which was a slur on the state's image of the most educated and cultured area in the country.

Achieving self-reliance in foodgrain production for its staple needs may be a distant dream for a state which had lost much of its paddy fields. But it would be certainly possible to increase rice production from six lakh tonnes to at least 10 lakh tonne s in three years, Mr Achuthanandan said.

He said it was a gross injustice on the part of the Centre to have cut the state's rice quota drastically.

He, earlier, unfurled the national flag and inspected a colourful ceremonial parade of various contingents of police, allied forces, NCC, Scouts and Guides. - PTI

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