Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday criticized the Centre’s stand that increasing paddy production was a “burden” for the country, calling it a challenge to farmers and a reflection of hostility towards Kerala.
CM Vijayan slammed the Center for calling the increase in paddy production a ‘burden’ for the countryIn a statement, the chief minister said the central government has demanded Kerala stop the additional incentive bonus given to paddy farmers.
Vijayan said that the Expenditure Secretary of the Union Finance Ministry had officially informed that since the production of paddy is more than the requirement, the procurement expenses will become a burden on the government exchequer.
Vijayan said that the state chief secretary has received a letter informing about this position.
The Chief Minister said that the state government supports paddy farmers by paying bonus over and above the minimum support price fixed by the Center and questioned why the Central government was uncomfortable with it.
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He noted that Kerala provides an additional ₹6.31 per kg for procurement of paddy.
Those who do not hesitate to pay corporate loans of thousands of crores of rupees are portraying the bonus given to paddy farmers as a big burden, he alleged.
Interpreting increased production as a liability, pressure is being put on the state to review the existing bonus policy, Vijayan said, reflecting a hostile attitude not only towards farmers but towards Kerala as a whole.
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He also asked if the move was the first step towards opening up markets for American agricultural products as part of the India-US trade deal.
The Chief Minister also said that the Center is taking such steps even though it has failed to release part of the assistance due to paddy farmers on time.
Vijayan’s stern statement came a day after ruling LDF convener TP Ramakrishnan demanded that the Center immediately withdraw its directive to stop the additional incentive bonus given by the state government for paddy procurement.
Ramakrishnan complained that such intervention would undermine the country’s food self-sufficiency.
He also called for strong protests against the move and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the Centre’s decision, saying it posed a threat to the country’s food security.
On January 9, Union Finance Ministry Secretary V Vualnam wrote to Kerala Chief Secretary A Jayathilak, asking the state to review its existing bonus policy and consider ending additional incentives on wheat and paddy.
The letter requested to focus on incentives to promote cultivation of pulses, oilseeds and millets in line with national priorities of nutrition security, self-reliance and sustainable agriculture.
It stated that bumper production of wheat and rice resulted in stocks of wheat and rice exceeding the public distribution system, buffer rules and other welfare and ancillary requirements.
“The surplus continues to grow year after year, creating a significant and recurring burden on the government exchequer,” the letter said.
Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad rejected the Centre’s suggestion, calling it “unacceptable” and said there would be no compromise on paddy cultivation.
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