Cabinet decides to form Farmers' Welfare Board; co-op societies to be part of paddy procurement

Thiruvananthapuram: It has been decided in the cabinet meeting to form a Farmers' Welfare Board in the state. Dr P Rajendran will be the chairman of the board. Cooperative societies have been entrusted to procure paddy. The issues in procuring paddy in the state was the major topic of discussion at the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

Even after the farming season ended, paddy cannot be procured in major production centres including Palakkad due to the issues between Supplyco and private mill owners. The private mill owners are opposing collection of processing fees to manage the losses occurred during the flood havoc in 2018.

The government has decided not to give in to their pressure. The cabinet decided to include Supplyco and cooperative societies in paddy procurement. Currently, paddy is procured through 8 mills of Supplyco only. In rest of the places, paddy procurement will be managed with the help of cooperative societies, the cabinet has decided. This move will be helpful for the farmers.

However, increasing the fine for violation of COVID protocol and recommendation of expert committee regarding Sabarimala darshan were not discussed in the cabinet meeting. Devaswom minister Kadakampally Surendran will hold a meeting with the chief minister regarding Sabarimala before taking a decision.