The CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala today wanted the Centre to consult it before signing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, saying it would have an adverse impact on the agriculture sector in the state.

Replying to a notice for an adjournment motion over the agrarian crisis in the state Assembly, Agriculture Minister V. S. Sunilkumar said the RCEP agreement would result in the import of cash crops, milk products, rubber and tea without duty.

“This is going to aggravate the crisis already faced by the farming sector due to the adverse impact of previous treaties including the WTO and ASEAN,” he said.

Stating that the LDF government had always taken a strong stand against the RCEP and other similar agreements, the minister said it would take up the matter with the Centre again.

“The Centre should consult with the state before signing the agreement,” he said.

Referring to reports on the move to shift the Rubber Board headquarters from Kerala, he said the state government could not accept this at any cost.

“Kerala produces 90 per cent of the total rubber production in the country. We have already told the Centre that the Rubber Board office should not be shifted,” the minister said.

Alleging that the Centre was showing a “step-motherly” attitude towards the state on matters related to agriculture, Sunilkumar said the state would give a detailed letter to the Centre explaining its position on the issue.

On the Opposition charge that the state government had shown lukewarm response to the problems faced by rubber growers, he said a total of Rs 704 crore had been released under the ‘production incentive’ scheme in the last one year.

Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala assembly, Ramesh Chennithala said state farmers were facing a serious crisis due to various issues and sought the immediate intervention of both the state and Central Governments.

As an immediate relief, he said, agriculture loans upto Rs 2 lakh should be written off and a permanent price stabilisation fund be launched for all agricultural crops in the state.

Echoing the views of the agricultural minister on RCEP, Chennithala said the agreement would have an adverse impact in the agrarian sector of Kerala and the Centre should show readiness to consult with the state before implementing it.

The Opposition later staged a walkout after Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan rejected their demand for a debate on the alleged crisis faced by farmers in the state.

RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the six states (Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand) with which ASEAN has existing free trade agreements.

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