Ker govt hikes procurement price of paddy by Rs one per kg

Kerala government today hiked the procurement price of paddy by Rs one per kg, taking the rate to Rs 19 for the current season.
Speaking to reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the state's subsidy component for paddy procurement with this decision would be Rs 5.90.
He also said a financial package for the ailing Kerala State Road Transport Corporation would be decided at the next the cabinet meeting scheduled for February 26.
A final decision on taking over the Pariyaram Medical College in Kannur, now under the co-operative sector, would also be taken at that meeting, he added.

On the political front, Chandy claimed the Congress led ruling UDF would put up very good performance in the coming Lok Sabha polls.
"We will face the polls unitedly and there is no issue with partners with regard to seat sharing", he said when asked about reported fissures in the Front over the Idukki seat, now held by Congress MP P T Thomas.
A section in KC-M led by water resources Minister P J Joseph have demanded the seat for the party and even cautioned Congress it could go for a 'friendly contest'.
However KC-M leader and State Finance Minister K M Mani has ruled out any such 'friendly contest' and said the party would prefer a candidate acceptable to UDF.