Kerala Oppn blames CPM for paddy loss

In monetary terms, the loss in the state’s rice bowl, Kuttanad, was officially pegged at up to Rs 2.5 crore on Monday while the farmers claim the actual loss is much more than what has been estimated.

The Opposition had sought an adjournment of the House for a debate on the issue alleging that the loss could have been averted if the CPM outfit, Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union (KSKTU), would not have resisted the use of harvesters and threshing machines in the name of protecting labour interests, even as the farmers could not get enough hands to manually do the farm work anymore.

The Opposition walked out after the Speaker turned the adjournment request down.

Later, after a tour of Kuttanad in the afternoon, Opposition leader Oommen Chandy declared that the Opposition would take up the issue of the CPM’s alleged anti-farmer approaches, in a statewide campaign.