The State government decision not to increase the procurement price of paddy from existing ₹28.20 a kg in spite of the Union government offering an increase of ₹1.43 in the support price has angered the farmers across Kerala.
Describing the government decision as not only disappointing but also deceptive, paddy farmers said that the State government should at least have made the Union government’s share of ₹1.43 available to the farmers.
“The farmers have been demanding to increase the procurement price of paddy to ₹35 a kilogram from the existing price of ₹28.20. But instead of increasing the price, the State government has now wrested the ₹1.43 additional amount given by the Union government. This is hideous,” said Palakkad Karshaka Samrakshana Samiti leaders here on Sunday.
