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This is an archive article published on June 22, 2008
Kerala CPM, CPI sort out differences
The CPM and the CPI, the leading partners in the ruling coalition in Kerala, have sorted out differences of opinion over implementing an integrated food security project...
Thiruvananthapuram | June 22, 2008 12:00 AM IST
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2 min read
The CPM and the CPI, the leading partners in the ruling coalition in Kerala, have sorted out differences of opinion over implementing an integrated food security project, which plans to increase production of paddy and milk in the state.
The impasse over implementing the project ended after both parties reached a consensus to allot a special fund of Rs 112.5 crore for project. Senior leaders of both parties held several rounds of talks in the last three days to chalk out a compromise. Besides, the Left Co-ordination Committee also met in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday to fine-tune the project.
The programme is supposed to improve paddy production in the state from 6.3 lakh tonnes to 9.45 lakh tonnes and milk from 2.63 lakh tonnes to 3.5 lakh tonnes.
Earlier, the CPM was of the stand that agriculture and food departments, run by the CPI, should find money for the project from the departments8217; budget allocations.
With CPI strongly protesting against the CPM approach, bilateral relations between the two ruling parties soured. The spat also took the sheen out of the LDF Government, during its second anniversary.
Apart from the fund allocation, the chairmanship of the project was another point of discord between the two parties. As a consensus formula, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan would be the chairman of the project, while Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Rathnakaran would be the convener.
A patch-up was necessary for both parties as the next session of the state Assembly would begin on Monday.
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