THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, has strongly criticized the Kerala state government in response to the tragic suicide of farmer KG Prasad in Thakazhi, Alappuzha district.
The minister asserted that the Kerala state government is solely responsible for the farmer Prasad’s suicide, citing various pieces of evidence indicating the government’s neglect of farmers. He emphasized that the consequences of the government’s failure in the paddy procurement process led to this tragedy.
Muraleedharan also mentioned hearing today that the state food minister, GR Anil, stated that farmers in Kerala wouldn’t need to resort to suicide due to Paddy Receipt Sheet (PRS) loans. According to the minister, this is a misleading statement by the state government, and he criticized their attempt to divert the issue.
Blaming the Pinarayi government for extravagant non-priority expenditures rather than disbursing money for procured paddy to the farmers, Muraleedharan pointed to expenditures on events like Keraleeyam celebrations, helicopter rentals, and frequent foreign trips by the chief minister and his team. He accused the state government of claiming a financial crisis in disbursing money for procured paddy to the farmers.
The Union Minister highlighted that the central government has increased the amount for paddy farmers, and if Kerala had followed suit, the farmers would have received Rs 33 today. However, as of now, they are only receiving Rs 22 from the Center, with the state government’s share reduced.
In a stern tone, Muraleedharan emphasized that the state government should, at the very least, demonstrate goodwill to end hunger among the common people in Kerala and refrain from pushing farmers to resort to suicide.
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