Paddy procurement: Muraleedharan attacks Prasad over remarks against Centre, asks for evidence

Kottayam: Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Saturday responded to Kerala Agriculture Minister P Prasad’s remarks blaming the Centre for the delay in making payments to the farmers for paddy procurement.  He asked Prasad to produce evidence to substantiate his claims over the dues. 

Speaking in Kottayam, Muraleedharan asserted that the state should not try to blame the Centre for each and everything ranging from Onam kits to paddy prices. “The Centre never withholds even a penny entitled to Kerala. The amount due to the state has been fully paid in accordance with the rules,” he said. 

Further, Muraleedharan detailed the grants provided by the central government and said, “In FY 2021-22, Rs 521.43 crore was given to the health sector as a grant...As many as Rs 256 crore was allotted in 2021-22 under the million-plus cities grant. Of the Rs 265 crore allocated in FY 2022-23, Rs 213.4 crore has been disbursed,” he added. 

The minister also claimed that the Centre had allocated Rs 1,925 crore in FY 2023-24 as capital investment for development and welfare activities. However, the amount has not been granted as the state failed to fully utilise the grant provided last year. 

“The revenue deficit grants for the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23 have been fully disbursed and that of FY 2023-24 is being provided in monthly instalments,” he said.